Using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) to Compare Cortical Excitability Among Depressed Patients, Sleep-Deprived Controls, and Rested Controls

Authors

Rajani Rajan, Case Western Reserve University
Paul A. Zarkowski, University of Washington School of Medicine; Case Western Reserve University
Pedro L. Delgado, Case Western Reserve University; University Hospitals of Cleveland

Abstract

Objective: To compare cortical excitability among sleep-deprived and rested controls, and depressed subjects.

Methods: 3 controls and 4 depressed patients (average HAM-D 19) wererecruited. Sleep-deprived controls were instructed to sleep <=4 hours the previous night. TMS-produced motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were measured before and after subjects engaged in sets of non-fatiguing manual exercise.

Results: Post-exercise MEP increased 71+1-19% for rested controls, 28+1-32% for sleep deprived controls, and 8+1-15% for depressed patients. This increase, "facilitation," was significantly greater in rested controls than in depressed patients (p=0.011). No significant difference in facilitation was found between sleep-deprived controls and depressed patients.

Conclusion: Sleep-deprivation may partially account for reduced cortical excitability in depressed patients.

Recommended Citation

Rajan, Rajani; Zarkowski, Paul A.; and Delgado, Pedro L. (2005) "Using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) to Compare Cortical Excitability Among Depressed Patients, Sleep-Deprived Controls, and Rested Controls," Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry: Vol. 19: Iss. 1, Article 5.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29046/JJP.019.1.004
Available at: https://jdc.jefferson.edu/jeffjpsychiatry/vol19/iss1/5