Effect of electroconvulsive therapy on brain functional network in major depressive disorder / 生物医学工程学杂志

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an interventional technique capable of highly effective neuromodulation in major depressive disorder (MDD), but its antidepressant mechanism remains unclear. By recording the resting-state electroencephalogram (RS-EEG) of 19 MDD patients before and after ECT, we analyzed the modulation effect of ECT on the resting-state brain functional network of MDD patients from multiple perspectives: estimating spontaneous EEG activity power spectral density (PSD) using Welch algorithm; constructing brain functional network based on imaginary part coherence (iCoh) and calculate functional connectivity; using minimum spanning tree theory to explore the topological characteristics of brain functional network. The results show that PSD, functional connectivity, and topology in multiple frequency bands were significantly changed after ECT in MDD patients. The results of this study reveal that ECT changes the brain activity of MDD patients, which provides an important reference in the clinical treatment and mechanism analysis of MDD.

Combinación de datos de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud con notificaciones GES de depresión para mejorar la estimación de la prevalencia de depresión en Chile / Combining the national health survey with GES notifications to improve the depression prevalence estimation in Chile

BACKGROUND: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a public health problem of increasing severity in Chile. However, prevalence studies of MDD yield discordant results. Reconciling these discordances, at least in part, requires improving the estimate of MDD prevalence in Chile. AIM: To improve the estimate of MDD prevalence in Chile, by combining data from the 2016/17 Chilean National Health Survey (ENS) with data from the mandatory notifications of users of the Explicit health guaranties (GES acronym in Spanish) program of the Ministry of Health for MDD treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The 2016/17 ENS, applied a Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) module (n = 3,403), to diagnose individuals with MDD. This article presents an approach that combines the CIDI/ENS diagnoses with GES depression notifications for this period. This dataset combination was applied first to individual macro-zones, then at a national level. RESULTS: The analysis with ENS 2016/17 data only, yields a prevalence of MDD in subjects 18 years or older of 6.19% (95% CI: 4.51-8.43). However, the analysis of the combined data sources yields a prevalence that increases to 6.65% (95% CI: 4.63-8.67). In terms of number of cases, this prevalence increase translates into 63,474 additional MDD cases per year. CONCLUSIONS: The MDD prevalence that results from combining ENS 2016/17 and GES data is greater than the prevalence reported by the ENS 2016/17 alone. This increase in cases allows policymakers to improve budgeting and implementation of public policies concerning the prevention and treatment of MDD.

Appraising the effectiveness of electrical and magnetic brain stimulation techniques in acute major depressive episodes: an umbrella review of meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials

Electrical and magnetic brain stimulation techniques present distinct mechanisms and efficacy in the acute treatment of depression. This was an umbrella review of meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials of brain stimulation techniques for managing acute major depressive episodes. A systematic review was performed in the PubMed/MEDLINE databases from inception until March 2020. We included the English language meta-analysis with the most randomized controlled trials on the effects of any brain stimulation technique vs. control in adults with an acute depressive episode. Continuous and dichotomous outcomes were assessed. A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews-2 was applied and the credibility of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework. Seven meta-analyses were included (5,615 patients), providing evidence for different modalities of brain stimulation techniques. Three meta-analyses were evaluated as having high methodological quality, three as moderate, and one as low. The highest quality of evidence was found for high frequency-repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), transcranial direct current stimulation, and bilateral rTMS. There is strong clinical research evidence to guide future clinical use of some techniques. Our results confirm the heterogeneity of the effects across these techniques, indicating that different mechanisms of action lead to different efficacy profiles.

BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and resilience in major depressive disorder: the impact of cognitive psychotherapy

Objective: Clinical and biological correlates of resilience in major depressive disorder are scarce. We aimed to investigate the effect of the Val66Met polymorphism in the BDNF gene on resilience scores in major depressive disorder patients and evaluate the polymorphism's moderation effect on resilience scores in response to cognitive therapy. Method: A total of 106 major depressive disorder patients were enrolled in this clinical randomized study. The Resilience Scale and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression were applied at baseline, post-treatment, and at six months of follow-up. Blood samples were obtained at baseline for molecular analysis. Results: The baseline resilience scores were higher in patients with the Met allele (114.6±17.6) than in those with the Val/Val genotype (104.04±21.05; p = 0.037). Cognitive therapy treatment increased resilience scores (p ≤ 0.001) and decreased depressive symptoms (p ≤ 0.001). In the mixed-effect model, the Val/Val genotype represented a decrease in resilience scores (t218 = -1.98; p = 0.048), and the Val66Met polymorphism interacted with sex to predict an increase in total resilience scores during cognitive treatment (t218 = 2.69; p = 0.008). Conclusion: Our results indicate that cognitive therapy intervention could improve resilience in follow-up, considering that gender and genetic susceptibility are predicted by the Val66Met polymorphism.

Precision non-implantable neuromodulation therapies: a perspective for the depressed brain

Current first-line treatments for major depressive disorder (MDD) include pharmacotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy. However, one-third of depressed patients do not achieve remission after multiple medication trials, and psychotherapy can be costly and time-consuming. Although non-implantable neuromodulation (NIN) techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation, electroconvulsive therapy, and magnetic seizure therapy are gaining momentum for treating MDD, the efficacy of non-convulsive techniques is still modest, whereas use of convulsive modalities is limited by their cognitive side effects. In this context, we propose that NIN techniques could benefit from a precision-oriented approach. In this review, we discuss the challenges and opportunities in implementing such a framework, focusing on enhancing NIN effects via a combination of individualized cognitive interventions, using closed-loop approaches, identifying multimodal biomarkers, using computer electric field modeling to guide targeting and quantify dosage, and using machine learning algorithms to integrate data collected at multiple biological levels and identify clinical responders. Though promising, this framework is currently limited, as previous studies have employed small samples and did not sufficiently explore pathophysiological mechanisms associated with NIN response and side effects. Moreover, cost-effectiveness analyses have not been performed. Nevertheless, further advancements in clinical trials of NIN could shift the field toward a more "precision-oriented" practice.

Clinical evaluation of biological rhythm domains in patients with major depression

Objective: Sleep, physical activity, and social domains of biological rhythm disruptions may have specific effects on the symptom cluster and severity of depression. However, there is a lack of structured clinical evaluation to specify the domains of biological rhythms in patients with depression. Methods: Ninety drug-naïve subjects with depression and 91 matched healthy controls were recruited for the study. The severity of depression was examined with the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD), while biological rhythm was evaluated using the Biological Rhythms Interview of Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (BRIAN). Results: Patients with depression showed significantly greater biological rhythm disturbances than healthy controls in all domains of BRIAN (sleep, activity, social, and eating). BRIAN-Total correlated positively with HRSD-Total and HRSD-Total without sleep cluster. The sleep and activity domains correlated significantly with HRSD-Total score. Additionally, the sleep, activity, and social domains correlated significantly with HRSD-Total without the sleep cluster score. Regression analysis revealed the activity (β = 0.476, t = 5.07, p<0.001) and sleep (β = 0.209, t = 2.056, p = 0.043) domains may predict HRSD-Total score. Conclusion: Consideration of biological rhythm domains in clinical examination and focusing on the sleep and activity domains may hold promise for the management of depression.

Effectiveness of an internet-based self-guided program to treat depression in a sample of Brazilian users: a study protocol

Although psychological treatments for depressive disorders are available, they are often expensive or inaccessible for many. Web-based interventions that require minimal or no contact with therapists have been shown effective. To the best of our knowledge, no study using this treatment format has been conducted in Brazil. The Deprexis program was designed using empirically established principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy to reduce depressive symptoms. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Deprexis in Brazil. This randomized controlled trial will include 128 Brazilians with clinically significant depression symptoms or who have been diagnosed with depressive disorder (major depressive disorder or dysthymia), recruited over the internet (Brazilian forums, social networks, or e-mail lists). Individuals with other psychiatric diagnoses that require significant attention (e.g., bipolar disorder, psychosis) will not be included in the trial. Participants will be randomly assigned to 1) treatment as usual plus immediate access to Deprexis or 2) treatment as usual plus delayed access to Deprexis (after 8 weeks). Participants will be able to obtain other treatment types in addition to the online intervention. If found effective, this web-based intervention would increase the evidence-based care options for depression treatment in Brazil. Clinical trial registration: RBR-6kk3bx, UTN U1111-1212-8998

Association of BDNF, HTR2A, TPH1, SLC6A4, and COMT polymorphisms with tDCS and escitalopram efficacy: ancillary analysis of a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Objective: We investigated whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with neuroplasticity and activity of monoamine neurotransmitters, such as the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF, rs6265), the serotonin transporter (SLC6A4, rs25531), the tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (TPH1, rs1800532), the 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2A (HTR2A, rs6311, rs6313, rs7997012), and the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT, rs4680) genes, are associated with efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in major depression. Methods: Data from the Escitalopram vs. Electrical Current Therapy for Treating Depression Clinical Study (ELECT-TDCS) were used. Participants were antidepressant-free at baseline and presented with an acute, moderate-to-severe unipolar depressive episode. They were randomized to receive escitalopram/tDCS-sham (n=75), tDCS/placebo-pill (n=75), or placebo-pill/sham-tDCS (n=45). General linear models assessed the interaction between treatment group and allele-wise carriers. Additional analyses were performed for each group and each genotype separately. Results: Pairwise group comparisons (tDCS vs. placebo, tDCS vs. escitalopram, and escitalopram vs. placebo) did not identify alleles associated with depression improvement. In addition, exploratory analyses also did not identify any SNP unequivocally associated with improvement of depression in any treatment group. Conclusion: Larger, combined datasets are necessary to identify candidate genes for tDCS response.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy for treatment-resistant depression in adults and adolescents: a systematic review / Terapia cognitivo-comportamental para depressão resistente ao tratamento em adultos e adolescentes: uma revisão sistemática

Abstract Objective To conduct a systematic review of literature on use and efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for treatment of treatment-resistant depression in adults and adolescents. Methods We performed a systematic review according to the Prisma Guidelines of literature indexed on the PubMed, SciELO, Psychiatry Online, Scopus, PsycArticles, Science Direct and the Journal of Medical Case Reports databases. Randomized controlled trials, open studies and case reports were included in the review. Results The searches returned a total of 1,580 articles, published from 1985 to 2017. After applying the inclusion criteria, 17 articles were selected, their complete texts were read and 8 were included in this review. Four of these studies were randomized controlled trials with adults, one of which covered a post-study follow-up period; two were randomized controlled trials with adolescents, one of which presented follow-up data; one was an open study; and one was a case report. The studies provide good quality and robust evidence on the topic addressed. Conclusions A combination of CBT with pharmacotherapy for treatment-resistant patients shows a decrease in depressive symptoms. CBT can be an effective type of therapy for adults and adolescents with treatment-resistant depression.

Resumo Objetivos Realizar uma revisão sistemática sobre o uso da terapia cognitivo-comportamental (TCC) e sua eficácia no tratamento da depressão resistente ao tratamento em adultos e adolescentes. Métodos Realizamos uma revisão sistemática utilizando os critérios do Prisma Guidelines, nos seguintes bancos de dados: PubMed, SciELO, Psychiatry Online, Scopus, PsycArticles, Science Direct e Journal of Medical Case Reports. Estudos controlados randomizados, estudos abertos e relatos de casos foram incluídos neste estudo. Resultados A pesquisa retornou um total de 1.580 artigos, publicados de 1985 até 2017. Após aplicarmos os critérios de inclusão, 17 artigos foram selecionados, seus textos completos foram lidos e 8 foram incluídos nesta revisão. Do total, quatro eram estudos controlados randomizados com adultos, tendo um incluído um período de seguimento pós-estudo; dois eram estudos controlados randomizados com adolescentes, tendo um apresentado dados de seguimento; um era um estudo aberto; e o último era um relato de caso. Os estudos apresentaram boa qualidade e evidências robustas sobre o tópico abordado. Conclusões A combinação de TCC com tratamento medicamentoso para pacientes resistentes ao tratamento mostra uma diminuição dos sintomas depressivos. A TCC pode ser um tipo eficaz de terapia para adultos e adolescentes com depressão resistente ao tratamento.

Factores de riesgo para intento de suicidio en personas con trastorno depresivo en atención secundaria / Risk factors for suicide attempts in people with depressive disorders treated in secondary health care

Background: Depression is the most common psychiatric disorder in people with suicidal behavior. The knowledge of its risk factors should help to design preventive strategies. Aim: To describe suicidal behavior and risk factors for attempted suicide in people with major depressive disorders (MDD). Material and Methods: A 12-month follow-up study was conducted in 112 outpatients at three psychiatric care centers of Ñuble, Chile, with baseline and quarterly assessments. Demographic, psychosocial and clinical factors as potential risk factors of suicide attempts, were assessed. A clinical interview with DSM-IV diagnostic criteria checklist, Hamilton Depression Scale and the List of Threatening Experiences and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support were applied. Results: Sixty seven percent of participants had suicidal ideation and 43.8% had attempted suicide. Suicide risk was significantly higher in participants with a single major depressive episode (odds ratio [OR] = 3.98; 95% confidence intervals [CI] = 1,29-12,32 p = 0.02) and those with previous suicide attempts (OR = 13.15; 95% CI = 3,87-44.7 p < 0.01). Young age, not having a partner, being unemployed, having a severe major depressive episode, having psychotic symptoms, having a personality disorder and being devoid of medical illness increased the risk of suicide attempts, but they did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: Significant risk factors should be specially considered when designing suicide preventive strategies in patients with MDD.

Can physical exercise modulate cortisol level in subjects with depression? A systematic review and meta-analysis / O exercício físico pode modular os níveis de cortisol em indivíduos com depressão? Uma revisão sistemática e metanálise

Abstract Introduction: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a prevalent medical illness that is associated with chronic stress. Patients with MDD can show an imbalance in cortisol levels, which can be restored with the remission of symptoms. Physical exercise training has been used as a tool to promote changes in cortisol levels in healthy individuals. However, it is unknown if exercise can produce the same results in individuals with MDD. Objective: To review evidence of cortisol changes after exercise training in individuals with MDD. Methods: We conducted a search on PubMed, SciELO, LILACS, ISI Web of Knowledge, Scopus, and PsycInfo databases. Random effects meta-analysis was performed and standardized mean difference (SMD) effect size was calculated. Analyses of forest and funnel plots was conducted using Stata v.11.0 software. Results: At first, 463 studies were obtained in the search. After completion of the selection procedure, five articles with seven analyses were included. Type of exercise, frequency of training, cortisol measurement, and type of control group were analyzed. There was a reduction of cortisol levels in the exercise group (SMD = −0.65, 95%CI 1.30-0.01). Moreover, sensitivity analysis and subgroup analyses revealed an effect of type (aerobic exercise) and frequency (five times per week) of exercise on reduction of cortisol levels. However, these results should be interpreted cautiously due to the small number of studies and a substantial heterogeneity among them. Conclusion: Physical exercise promotes a reduction in cortisol levels in individuals with MDD. However, this finding can be influenced by type of exercise, weekly frequency, and type of cortisol measurement.

Resumo Introdução: A depressão maior (DM) é uma doença associada ao estresse crônico que pode apresentar um desequilíbrio nos níveis de cortisol, podendo ser recuperado com a remissão dos sintomas. O exercício tem sido utilizado como uma ferramenta para promover mudanças nos níveis de cortisol em indivíduos saudáveis. No entanto, não se sabe se o exercício produz os mesmos resultados em indivíduos com DM. Objetivo: Revisar evidências de alterações dos níveis de cortisol após o exercício em indivíduos com DM. Métodos: Foi realizada busca nas bases de dados PubMed, SciELO, LILACS, ISI Web of Knowledge, Scopus e PsycInfo. Procedeu-se a metanálise com o cálculo do tamanho do efeito da diferença de média padronizada. Foi utilizado o software Stata v.11.0. Resultados: Foram obtidos na busca 463 estudos. Após o procedimento de seleção, cinco artigos com sete análises foram incluídos. O tipo de exercício, frequência de treinamento, tipo de medida do cortisol e tipo de grupo controle foram analisados como subgrupos. Houve uma redução dos níveis de cortisol no grupo de exercício. Além disso, a análise de sensibilidade e análises de subgrupos revelaram um efeito do tipo (exercício aeróbico) e da frequência (cinco vezes por semana) de exercício na redução dos níveis de cortisol. No entanto, esses resultados devem ser interpretados com cautela, devido ao pequeno número de estudos e uma heterogeneidade substancial entre eles. Conclusão: O exercício promove redução dos níveis de cortisol em indivíduos com DM. No entanto, esse achado pode ser influenciado pelo tipo de exercício, medida do cortisol e frequência semanal.

Impact of resilience on the improvement of depressive symptoms after cognitive therapies for depression in a sample of young adults / Impacto da resiliência na melhora dos sintomas depressivos após terapias cognitivas para depressão em uma amostra de adultos jovens

Abstract Introduction Few studies have evaluated positive measures for therapeutic response. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the effects of resilience on severity of depressive and anxious symptoms after brief cognitive psychotherapy for depression. Methods This was a clinical follow-up study nested in a randomized clinical trial of cognitive therapies. The Resilience Scale was applied at baseline. The Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) were used at baseline, post-intervention, and at six-month follow-up. Results Sixty-one patients were assessed at baseline, post-intervention and at six-month follow-up. Resilience scores were significantly different between baseline and post-intervention assessments (p<0.001), as well as at baseline and at six-month follow-up (p<0.001). We observed a weak negative correlation between baseline resilience scores and HDRS scores at post-intervention (r=-0.295, p=0.015) and at six-month follow-up (r=-0.354, p=0.005). Furthermore, we observed a weak negative correlation between resilience scores and HARS scores at post-intervention (r=-0.292, p=0.016). Conclusion Subjects with higher resilience scores at baseline showed a lower severity of symptoms at post-intervention and at six-month follow-up.

Resumo Introdução Poucos estudos têm avaliado medidas positivas de resposta terapêutica. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi verificar os efeitos da resiliência na severidade dos sintomas depressivos e ansiosos após psicoterapia cognitiva breve para depressão. Métodos Trata-se de um estudo de intervenção clínica aninhado a um ensaio clínico com dois diferentes modelos de terapia cognitiva. A Resilience Scale foi aplicada no baseline, enquanto que a Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale e a Hamilton Depression Rating Scale foram utilizadas no baseline, após a intervenção e no acompanhamento de seis meses. Resultados Sessenta e um pacientes foram avaliados no baseline, no pós-intervenção e no acompanhamento de seis meses. Os escores de resiliência foram significativamente diferentes entre as avaliações de baseline e pós-intervenção (p<0,001), bem como no baseline vs. acompanhamento de seis meses (p<0,001). Observamos uma correlação negativa fraca entre os escores de resiliência no baseline e os escores de sintomas depressivos no pós-intervenção (r=-0,295; p=0,015) e em seis meses de acompanhamento (r=-0,354; p=0,005). Além disso, observamos uma correlação negativa fraca entre os escores de resiliência e sintomas ansiosos no pós-intervenção (r=-0,292; p=0,016). Conclusão Indivíduos com maiores escores de resiliência na avaliação pré-tratamento apresentaram uma menor severidade de sintomas no pós-intervenção e no acompanhamento de seis meses.

Art therapy as an adjuvant treatment for depression in elderly women: a randomized controlled trial

Objective: There are few quantitative studies on art therapy for the treatment of depression. The objective of this study was to evaluate if art therapy is beneficial as an adjuvant treatment for depression in the elderly. Methods: A randomized, controlled, single-blind study was carried out in a sample of elderly women with major depressive disorder (MDD) stable on pharmacotherapy. The experimental group (EG) was assigned to 20 weekly art therapy sessions (90 min/session). The control group (CG) was not subjected to any adjuvant intervention. Patients were evaluated at baseline and after 20 weeks, using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and cognitive measures. Results: Logistic regression analysis adjusted for age revealed that women in EG (n=31) had significant improvement in GDS (p = 0.007), BDI (p = 0.025), and BAI (p = 0.032) scores as compared with controls (n=25). No difference was found in the cognitive measures. Conclusion: Art therapy as an adjunctive treatment for MDD in the elderly can improve depressive and anxiety symptoms. Clinical trial registration: RBR-2YXY7Z

Portuguese and Brazilian guidelines for the treatment of depression: exercise as medicine

Depression is a psychiatric disorder and major contributor to the burden of disease worldwide. The strength of evidence of the benefits of exercise as a therapeutic intervention for patients with depression has expanded in the last 30 years. In fact, the available evidence indicates exercise can not only help manage depressive symptoms, but also effect significant improvements in other health outcomes. Clinical guidelines including such recommendations have been issued by different agencies, namely the UK National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), the American Psychiatric Association (APA), and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP). With increasing recognition of the benefits of exercise and shortcomings of healthcare systems, other countries, such as Sweden and Canada, have included exercise in their national guidelines for treating depression. Unfortunately, progress in incorporating exercise guidelines into clinical practice has been slow, and Portugal and Brazil reflect this reality. In this update, we reemphasize the importance of bridging this gap and integrating exercise into clinical practice guidelines as an essential component of depression treatment.

Clinical outcomes of psychotherapy dropouts: does dropping out of psychotherapy necessarily mean failure?

Objective: A large proportion of psychotherapy patients remain untreated, mostly because they drop out. This study compares the short- and long-term outcomes of patients who dropped out of psychotherapy to those of therapy completers. Methods: The sample included 63 patients (23 dropouts and 40 completers) from a controlled clinical trial, which compared narrative therapy vs. cognitive-behavioral therapy for major depressive disorder. Patients were assessed at the eighth session, post-treatment, and at 31-month follow-up. Results: Dropouts improved less than completers by the last session attended, but continued to improve significantly more than completers during the follow-up period. Some dropout patients improved with a small dose of therapy (17% achieved a clinically significant change before abandoning treatment), while others only achieved clinically significant change after a longer period (62% at 31-month follow-up). Conclusion: These results emphasize the importance of dealing effectively with patients at risk of dropping out of therapy.Patients who dropped out also reported improvement of depressive symptoms without therapy, but took much longer to improve than did patients who completed therapy. This might be attributable to natural remission of depression. Further research should use a larger patient database, ideally gathered by meta-analysis.

Depression and psychodynamic psychotherapy

Depression is a complex condition, and its classical biological/psychosocial distinction is fading. Current guidelines are increasingly advocating psychotherapy as a treatment option. Psychodynamic psychotherapy models encompass a heterogeneous group of interventions derived from early psychoanalytic conceptualizations. Growing literature is raising awareness in the scientific community about the importance of these treatment options, as well as their favorable impact on post-treatment outcomes and relapse prevention. Considering the shifting paradigm regarding treatment of depressive disorder, the authors aim to provide a brief overview of the definition and theoretical basis of psychodynamic psychotherapy, as well as evaluate current evidence for its effectiveness.

Clinical improvement in patients with borderline personality disorder after treatment with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation: preliminary results

Objective: Current treatment of borderline personality disorder (BPD) consists of psychotherapy and pharmacological interventions. However, the use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) could be beneficial to improve some BPD symptoms. The objective of this study was to evaluate clinical improvement in patients with BPD after application of rTMS over the right or left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Method: Twenty-nine patients with BPD from the National Institute of Psychiatry, Mexico, were randomized in two groups to receive 15 sessions of rTMS applied over the right (1 Hz, n=15) or left (5 Hz, n=14) DLPFC. Improvement was measured by the Clinical Global Impression Scale for BPD (CGI-BPD), Borderline Evaluation of Severity Over Time (BEST), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), and Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS). Results: Intragroup comparison showed significant (p < 0.05) reductions in every psychopathologic domain of the CGI-BPD and in the total scores of all scales in both groups. Conclusions: Both protocols produced global improvement in severity and symptoms of BPD, particularly in impulsiveness, affective instability, and anger. Further studies are warranted to explore the therapeutic effect of rTMS in BPD. Clinical trial registration: NCT02273674.

Predictores de remisión del trastorno depresivo mayor en tratamiento en el nivel secundario de atención / Predictors of remission from major depressive disorder in secondary care

Background The knowledge of predictive factors in depression should help to deal with the disease. Aim To assess potential predictors of remission of major depressive disorders (MDD) in secondary care and to propose a predictive model. Material and Methods A 12 month follow-up study was conducted in a sample of 112 outpatients at three psychiatric care centers of Chile, with baseline and quarterly assessments. Demographic, psychosocial, clinical and treatment factors as potential predictors, were assessed. A clinical interview with the checklist of DSM-IV diagnostic criteria, the Hamilton Depression Scale and the List of Threatening Experiences and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support were applied. Results The number of stressful events, perceived social support, baseline depression scores, melancholic features, time prior to beginning treatment at the secondary level and psychotherapeutic sessions were included in the model as predictors of remission. Sex, age, number of previous depressive episodes, psychiatric comorbidity and medical comorbidity were not significantly related with remission. Conclusions This model allows to predict depression score at six months with 70% of accuracy and the score at 12 months with 72% of accuracy.