The Effect Of RTMS On Social Cognitive Function And Serum Bdnf Levels In Euthymic Bipolar Disorder Patients

Objective:We evaluated the efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(rTMS)on social cognition and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)levels in euthymic bipolar disorder(BD)patients.Methods:Thirty-nine outpatients diagnosed bipolar I or II disorder with DSM-IV-TR(DSM-IV)criteria were recruited from the psychiatric outpatient department of Hebei Medical University First Hospital.Patients were randomly assigned to double-blind active rTMS group(n=19)or sham rTMS group(n=20).The patients were evaluated using the Young Mania Rating Scale score(YMRS),the 24-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score(HDRS-24),tasks of facial affect recognition,and BDNF levels at baseline and after rTMS treatment.Results:1.Comparison of tasks of facial affect recognition and BDNF levels in euthymic BP with and without rTMS:There were significant differences in tasks of facial affect recognition in correct responses for fear and BDNF levels between endpoint and baseline between two groups(P<0.05).And the cognitive change was not correlated with the changes of BDNF levels after rTMS treatment(P>0.05).There were no significant differences between active and sham rTMS groups in HDRS and YMRS scores(P>0.05).No serious side effects were reported during or after treatment in euthymic BD patients.Three participants experienced dizziness during the first treatment.One patient in the rTMS group developed insomnia that disappeared after three treatments.2.Comparison of tasks of facial affect recognition and serum BDNF levels in euthymic BD patients with and without rTMS about psychotic symptoms:There are two groups according to euthymic BD patients with and without rTMS about psychotic symptoms.There were significant differences in tasks of facial affect recognition in correct responses for sadness between endpoint and baseline between two groups euthymic BD patients with psychotic symptoms(P<0.05).Conclusion:Our results suggest that rTMS could have better effect in social cognition in euthymic BD patients with psychotic symptoms.We have not found evidence that the cognitive benefits are associated with the changes of BDNF levels in euthymic BD patients.