Currently there is little standardization between rTMS treatment programs as to what is the best way to localize the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, which is the FDA-approved treatment location for clinical rTMS for major depressive disorder (MDD). Different targeting methods yield locations that can vary by up to a few centimeters. By comparing different treatment locations and obtaining neurobehavioral, neuroimaging, cognitive, and neuropsychological measures, this study would provide the opportunity to identify the optimal treatment targeting method when using rTMS for major depressive disorder in a clinical setting. This study will specifically be focusing on comparing the two most common targeting methods: a target 5.5cm anterior to the motor strip on the left prefrontal scalp and the F3 target location on the left prefrontal scalp as identified using the 10-20 EEG system nomenclature.
The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of different treatment locations using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to treat major depressive disorder.