The Role of Prefrontal Brain Morphology in the Response to Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation in Unipolar Depression Treatment

• Grant number: 24/08403-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): October 01, 2024
• Effective date (End): September 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Psychiatry
• Principal Investigator: Andre Russowsky Brunoni
• Grantee: Beatriz Araújo Cavendish
• Supervisor: Chris Baeken
• Host Institution: Instituto de Psiquiatria Doutor Antonio Carlos Pacheco e Silva (IPq). Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da USP (HCFMUSP). Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Research place: Ghent University (UGent), Belgium
• Associated to the scholarship: 21/10827-6 - Evaluation of left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex volume as a predictor of clinical response to the use of theta-burst stimulation in the treatment of unipolar depression, BP.DR

Abstract

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a prevalent mental disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, and various cognitive, emotional, and physical symptoms. The impact of depression extends beyond individuals to their families, communities, and society at large. Treating depression with medication presents challenges related to treatment resistance and side effects. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) offers a non-pharmacological, non-invasive approach for depression by delivering magnetic pulses to cortical regions implicated in its pathology. Theta-burst stimulation (TBS), a newer form of rTMS, delivers brief bursts of pulses at specific frequencies, offering shorter session durations and comparable efficacy to traditional rTMS. Previous research suggests that the effectiveness of neuromodulation techniques may depend on brain structure and state, impacting treatment outcomes. Investigating structural MRI-based predictors for iTBS response could provide valuable insights into patient- and treatment-related factors, shedding light on the mechanisms of action of this therapy in depression. Therefore, the specific objectives of this proposal are to examine whether morphological brain features, particularly baseline gray matter volumes and cortical thickness in prefrontal areas targeted by neuromodulation therapies, correlate with the antidepressant effects of intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS).