Weak, but complex pulsed magnetic fields may reduce depression following traumatic brain injury

Author(s): Persinger, M. A.

Journal/Book: Percept Mot Skills. 1996; 83: PO Box 9229, Missoula, MT 59807. Perceptual Motor Skills. 491-498.

Abstract: Many patients who display psychological depression following a traumatic brain injury do not respond completely to antidepressant drugs. We hypothesized that this type of depression is strongly correlated with subclinical, complex partial seizure-activity within the hippocampal-amygdaloid region that continues for months to years after apparent neurological and behavioral ''recovery.'' Four depressed patients who had sustained traumatic brain injuries and who exhibited mild to moderate brain impairment according to standardized tests received 30 min. of weak (1 mu T) burst-firing magnetic fields across the temporal lobes once per week for 5 weeks. There was a significant improvement of depression and reduction of phobias while physical symptoms and other complaints were not changed.

Note: Article MA Persinger, Laurentian Univ, Dept Psychol, Clin Neuropsychol Lab, Ramsey Lake Rd, Sudbury, on P3E 2C6, Canada

Keyword(s): CLINICAL POPULATIONS; NORMATIVE DATA; EPILEPSY; PHENOMENOLOGY; STIMULATION; INDEXES; SENSE

Zurück | Weiter