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Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is usually associated with treatment of depression. To understand its effect on negative symptoms in schizophrenia, researchers in Chile retrospectively reviewed outcomes with deep rTMS (bilateral high-frequency stimulation of the prefrontal cortex [PFC], a non–FDA-approved indication) in 16 schizophrenia patients (mean age, 28) with well-controlled positive symptoms but prominent negative symptoms. The device manufacturer funded the study.
Before treatment, patients were assessed on a rating scale for depression. Deep rTMS was applied 5 days per week (mean, 24 sessions). Depending on the rating scale, negative symptoms decreased by 37% to 48% by the end of treatment, and 94% to 100% of pat…