Use of right orbitofrontal repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) augmentation for treatment-refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder with comorbid major depressive disorder

We examined the safety and efficacy of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) of the right orbi-tofrontal cortex (OFC) in patients with refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and comorbid Major Depressive Disorder. All participants (n = 26) received excitatory stimulation of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex followed by inhibitory stimulation of bilateral supplementary motor area for 10 sessions. In 18 patients with poor early OCD response, treatment was augmented with OFC inhibitory stimulation after the tenth treatment session. Augmentation with OFC stimulation was well-tolerated, and associated with further allevia-tion of both OCD and depression symptoms, particularly in individuals with more severe illnesses.

Automated summary

This study examined the safety and efficacy of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) of the right orbi-tofrontal cortex (OFC) in patients with refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and comorbid Major Depressive Disorder. The results showed that the augmentation with OFC stimulation was well-tolerated and associated with further alleviation of symptoms in both OCD and depression, especially in individuals with more severe illnesses.