Slow magnetic stimulation of prefrontal cortex in depression and schizophrenia.

1. The authors used transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of pre-frontal cortex to study mood changes in 10 depressed patients and 10 schizophrenic patients. 2. A slow rate of stimuli was used, one per 30 seconds; maximal intensity of about 2 Tesla was given for 30 stimuli, 15 on each side of the brain. 3. No side effects were seen and at least three depressed patients and two schizophrenic patients appeared to improve, at least transiently. 4. These results suggest that rapid rate TMS may not be necessary to elicit mood effects.