ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a promising non-pharmacological intervention for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses have reported mixed results. OBJECTIVE: To review articles that assess the efficacy of TMS in PTSD treatment. METHODS: A systematic review using MEDLINE and other databases to identify studies from the first RCT available up to September 2015. The primary outcome was based on PTSD scores (continuous variable). The main outcome was Hedges' g. We used a random-effects model using the statistical packages for meta-analysis available in Stata 13 for Mac OSX. Heterogeneity was evaluated with I2 (> 35% for heterogeneity) and the χ2 test (p < 0.10 for heterogeneity). Publication bias was evaluated using a funnel plot. Meta-regression was performed using the random-effects model. RESULTS: Five RCTs (n = 118) were included. Active TMS was significantly superior to sham TMS for PTSD symptoms (Hedges' g = 0.74; 95% confidence interval = 0.06-1.42). Heterogeneity was significant in our analysis (I2 = 71.4% and p = 0.01 for the χ2 test). The funnel plot shows that studies were evenly distributed, with just one study located marginally at the edge of the funnel and one study located out of the funnel. We found that exclusion of either study did not have a significant impact on the results. Meta-regression found no particular influence of any variable on the results. CONCLUSION: Active TMS was superior to sham stimulation for amelioration of PTSD symptoms. Further RCTs with larger sample sizes are fundamental to clarify the precise impact of TMS in PTSD.
Subject(s)
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/therapy , Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation , HumansABSTRACT
Several studies have tested for the association between polymorphisms in the ADRA2A gene and childhood ADHD. A meta-analysis of these results, however, has pointed towards a significant heterogeneity, raising the need for explanatory studies. As the effect of other relevant clinical characteristics could be a possible source, we studied three polymorphisms in the ADRA2A gene (-1291 C>G-MspI or rs1800544; -262 G>A-HhaI or rs1800544; 1780 C>T-DraI or rs553668) in 403 adult patients with ADHD assessed in relation to comorbidity and personality characteristics, as well as in 232 controls. The diagnosis followed DSM-IV criteria, and personality dimensions were evaluated with the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). There were no significant differences in allele and genotype frequencies between cases and controls. Patients carrying the G allele of rs1800544 presented lower scores in harm avoidance, and carriers of the T allele of rs553668 had more novelty seeking and less harm avoidance and persistence. Additionally, the haplotype carrying the G-G-T alleles (rs1800544-rs1800545-rs553668) was associated with lower scores in harm avoidance and persistence, and higher scores in novelty seeking compared to other haplotypes. These findings suggest that the conflicting findings obtained in association studies between ADRA2A polymorphisms and ADHD might be related to temperament profiles, and support additional studies addressing these effects in larger samples.
