A Case Report of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation-Related Seizure in a Young Patient With Major Depressive Disorder Receiving Accelerated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation.

We report here the case of a transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)-related seizure observed after an accelerated TMS protocol in a young patient with major depressive disorder. The protocol consisted of delivering 5 sessions per day during 4 consecutive working days over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Stimulations were delivered at 20 Hz, with 40 trains, train duration of 1.9 seconds, intertrain interval of 12 seconds, and 1560 pulses per session. The event occurred during the third session (out of 5) of the second day (out of 4) into the 26th train (out of 40). Twelve days after the event, new sessions of stimulation (30 sessions of 1 Hz, 6 trains, train duration of 60 seconds, intertrain 30 seconds, 360 stimulations per session) followed by a maintenance protocol (1 session every 2 weeks) were proposed to the patient. This strategy allows us to achieve and maintain remission.

Effects of theta-rhythm transcranial alternating current stimulation (4.5 Hz-tACS) in patients with clozapine-resistant negative symptoms of schizophrenia: a case series.

Our aim was to assess the efficacy and safety of theta-rhythm transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (4.5 Hz-tACS) in patients with clozapine-resistant symptoms of schizophrenia. In an open case series, 3 patients received 20 sessions of 4.5 Hz-tACS (20 min, 2 mA) applied over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The patients exhibited a decrease of negative symptoms (-10 %), general symptoms (-18 %) and an improvement of insight into the illness (-25 %). 4.5 Hz-tACS might be a suitable alternative treatment for clozapine-resistant symptoms of schizophrenia.

Well-informed but not aware: The P.A.C.T.® psychoeducation program for schizophrenia improves knowledge about, but not insight into, the illness.

BACKGROUND: Most individuals with schizophrenia (SZ) have little to no insight regarding the presence of their illness. Psychoeducational programs are state-of-the-art interventions that consist in delivering stabilized patients with accurate knowledge about their illness and its treatment. Evidence suggests a significant relationship between levels of illness-related knowledge and insight in SZ patients. However, the effect of psychoeducation on these related outcomes needs to be explored further. METHODS: In this open label study involving 30 French-speaking patients with SZ, we propose to compare levels of knowledge and insight before and after the French P.A.C.T.® psychoeducation program to investigate how this approach affects both outcomes. Knowledge levels were measured with the self-questionnaire "What do I know?". Insight levels were measured using the Scale to Assess Unawareness of Mental Disorder (SUMD). Symptoms were assessed with the Positive And Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). RESULTS: A large significant improvement of knowledge was observed (p < 0.001; d = 0.77). By contrast, the analysis reported no significant effect of psychoeducation on insight (p = 0.86; d = 0.07). PANSS total scores were significantly decreased after treatment (p = 0.001; d = 0.66). CONCLUSIONS: Although the P.A.C.T.® program is a promising tool for improving illness-related knowledge in SZ patients, its use is not sufficient to significantly improve insight levels.