Effects of slow rTMS at the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex on EEG asymmetry and mood.

In a sham-controlled design (n = 12), slow repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) was applied to the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex for 20 min, and the subsequent effects on mood and the EEG spectrum were investigated, Analysis revealed a significant left hemisphere increase in EEG theta activity at 25-35 and 55-65 min after stimulation. In addition, participants reported significant decrease in anxiety immediately after stimulation, as well as 35 and 65 min after rTMS. These findings indicate that reductions in anxiety after slow rTMS at the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex are associated with a contralateral increase in theta activity.