Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and rehabilitation of cognitive functions in schizophrenia

Abstract

Computer programs are used in rehabilitation of cognitive deficit in schizophrenia. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can directly affect cortical excitability and metabolism of prefrontal lobe and subsequently affect cognition. The objective of our study was to investigate augmentation of cognitive rehabilitation in schizophrenia with rTMS. Study subjects were stabilized patients with DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia, treated with second-generation antipsychotics, except for clozapine (total N=34). Study with rTMS was double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, with 2 parallel arms. All subjects participated in eight-week computer-assisted cognitive training, during first 2 weeks Group 1 (N=8) received rTMS and Group 2 (N=8) inactive sham stimulation. Patients who refused stimulation participated in rehabilitation program only. Data were assessed fo the totatl study sample and for each group separately. The results showed that computer-assisted cognitive training significantly improved severity of cognitive deficit in schizophrenia in many domains, especially executive functions: attention shift – flexibility, attention control, and working memory. The output was faster, more precise, and more reliable. We did not detect to effect of rTMS on the change of cognition, there was no significant difference between active and sham stimulation. This finding can be explained by a significantly lower initial score in Raven test found in actively stimulated group or by a smaller sample size in a double-blind study. The study confirmed efficacy of computer-assisted rehabilitation in remediation of cognitive deficit in schizophrenia.Supported by the projects IGA MZ CR NF7571-3 and MSMT CR CNS 1M0517