Transcranial magnetic stimulation for the treatment of anxiety disorder

Priscila Aparecida Rodrigues,1 Ana Luiza Zaninotto,1,2 Iuri Santana Neville,1 Cintya Yukie Hayashi,1 André R Brunoni,3 Manoel Jacobsen Teixeira,1 Wellingson Silva Paiva1 1Department of Neurology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; 2Laboratory of Neuromodulation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; 3Institute of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, BrazilCorrespondence: Priscila Aparecida RodriguesCaring - Clinic of Psychology and Neuropsychology, Avenue Vereador Narciso Yague, Guimarães, Number 1145 – Sala 1610, Mogi das Cruzes, São Paulo 08780-500, BrazilTel +55 1 199 654 2972Email pri.ar@outlook.comAbstract: Anxiety is currently one of the main mood changes and can impair the quality of life of the individual when associated with other neurological or psychiatric disorders. Neuromodulation has been highlighted as a form of treatment of several pathologies, including those involving anxiety symptoms. Among the neuromodulatory options with the potential to improve mood changes, we highlight repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). rTMS is a viable therapeutical option for neuropsychiatric dysfunctions of high prevalence and is important for the understanding of pathological and neuropsychological adaptation processes. Even with this potential, and high relevance of intervention, we observe the scarcity of literature that covers this subject. The objective of this study was to carry out a survey of the current literature, using scientific databases for the last five years. We found 32 studies reporting the effects of rTMS on anxiety, 7 on anxiety disorders and 25 on anxiety symptoms as comorbidities of neurological or psychiatric disorders. This survey suggests the need for further studies using TMS for anxiety in order to seek strategies that minimize these anxiety effects on the quality of life of the victims of this disorder.Keywords: transcranial magnetic stimulation, anxiety disorders, review, treatment