Journal: Brain Stimulation (2015)
Authors: A Tendler, E Sisko, N Rodriguez, M Turcone, H LaSalle-Ricci
Background:
Deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (dTMS) has been proposed as a treatment method for patients with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Objective:
To report on the treatment of two unmedicated patients with severe ADHD, combined type, using the dTMS H7 coil over the right prefrontal cortex.
Methods:
dTMS was administered 6 cm anterior to the motor strip on the right prefrontal cortex using the H7 coil at 120% of the motor threshold of the left hand at 20 Hz, 2 second stimulation, 20 second intertrain interval for 3000 total pulses. Patients completed an objective computerized measure (IVA+) before and after treatment. The IVA+ has two primary diagnostic scales, the response control quotient and the attention quotient. Response control is a measure of impulsivity, consistency, and reaction time and the attention quotient measures inattention and mental processing speed.
Results:
Both patients demonstrated significant improvement in response control scores indicating substantial improvement in impulsivity, consistency and reaction time. The male patient received 22 treatments and his response control scores moved from the moderately impaired range to above average range with two-week durability. The female patient received 10 treatments and her response control scores improved from the moderately impaired range to the average range. Both patients had some improvement in attention, but their scores continued to be in the impaired range.
Conclusions:
dTMS with the H7 coil over the right prefrontal cortex is efficacious in treating response control symptoms of ADHD including impulsivity, consistency, and reaction time.
