Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is a novel brain stimulation technique that uses pulsating magnetic fields to stimulate underlying neurons in the cerebral cortex. The investigators propose an open-label pilot study investigating the effectiveness of rTMS in the treatment of tinnitus stimulation of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), an area known to be important for mood and attention, along with stimulation of the left temporoparietal cortex (TPC). This is a feasibility pilot study.
Converging data implicate structures of the brain that are important for mood and attention as playing a role in the maintenance of tinnitus; suggesting an alternative rTMS treatment approach that targets these structures. A growing number of studies demonstrate involvement of the prefrontal cortex in the generation and maintenance of tinnitus. rTMS stimulation in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in association with stimulation in the temporoparietal cortex has been shown to increase the durability of the TPC stimulation. The independent effect of rTMS stimulation to the DLPFC is not known. Studies in depression suggest that increasing the intensity and duration of stimulation has beneficial treatment effects. However, the field is new and more work is needed to assess the effectiveness of this treatment, predictors and correlates of response, and safety. Recent exciting work in schizophrenia used a bimodal (DLPFC and TPC) treatment approach in pharmacologically non-responsive patients. The study used high-frequency stimulation to the left DLPFC and low-frequency stimulation to the left TPC. Bimodal rTMS stimulation of left DLPFC and left TPC induced clinical improvement in pharmacologically non-responsive schizophrenia patients and may have improved their short-term verbal memories.57
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
5
High frequency (10 Hz) at 110% of the motor threshold TMS delivered over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, subsequently, a low frequency TMS (1 Hz) at 110% motor threshold will be delivered over 31 minutes over the TPJ area, according to the protocol below. DLPFC Stimulation Frequency 10 Hz Intensity 110% of motor threshold On 5 seconds Off 15 seconds Total Trains 80 per session Total pulses session 4000/session Duration session 26.6 minutes Total pulses (study) 40000 TPJ Stimulation Frequency 1 Hz Intensity 110% of motor threshold On 900 seconds Off 60 seconds Total Trains 2 per session Total Pulses session 1800 Duration session 31 minutes Total Pulses study 18000
Washington University School of Medicine
St Louis, Missouri, United States
Adverse Events
Subject will be queried for Adverse Events daily for 2 weeks of treatment. This is foremost a feasibility study, so measure of Adverse Events and relation to treatment is primary outcome.
Time frame: Daily for 2 weeks.
Change in Tinnitus Handicap Inventory
Participant will complete the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI)at the end of 2 weeks of treatment. Difference of the THI post treatmement minus baseline THI was calculated. Scale ranges in scores from 0 to 100 with 0 = no bother and 100 being the most bothered.
Time frame: Baseline, 2 weeks
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