Journal of International Psychiatry

Objective To study the effects of repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) combined with duloxetine on cognitive function and neurotransmitter levels in patients with depression. Methods The subjects were 100 patients with depression in our hospital. They were randomly divided into observation group (n=50) and control group (n=50) by computer program. The two groups were treated with the same antidepressants. On this basis, the observation group was treated with rTMS. The changes of depressive symptoms, cognitive function and neurotransmitter levels were compared. Results rTMS combined with duloxetine could significantly decrease the HAMD score after two weeks of treatment. And the difference was statistically significant compared with the control group (P<0.05); rTMS could promote the recovery of cognitive function significantly. The levels of serum 5-HT, DA and GABA in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group at the end of 8 weeks. Conclusion Compared with antidepressants alone, rTMS combined with antidepressants can significantly improve the cognitive function of the patients. At the same time, the levels of 5-HT, DA and GABA were up-regulated.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation; Depression; Cognitive function; Neurotransmitters