Hz Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Research Articles

Increased sensitivity for happy faces in depressed patients following 15 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

Increased sensitivity for happy faces in depressed patients following 15 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

Default mode network alterations after intermittent theta burst stimulation in healthy subjects

Understanding the mechanisms by which intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) protocols exert changes in the default-mode network (DMN) is paramount to develop therapeutically more effective approaches in the future. While a full session (3000 pulses) of 10 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (HF-rTMS) reduces the functional connectivity (FC) of the DMN and the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex, the current understanding of the effects of a single session of iTBS on the DMN in healthy subjects is limited. Here, we use a previously validated target selection approach for an unprecedented investigation into the effects of a single session (1800 pulses) of iTBS over the DMN in healthy controls. Twenty-six healthy subjects participated in a double-blind, crossover, sham-controlled study. After iTBS to the personalized left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) targets, we investigated the time lapse of effects in the DMN and its relationship to the harm avoidance (HA) personality trait measure (Temperament and Character Inventory/TCI). Approximately 25–30 min after stimulation, we observed reduced FC between the DMN and the rostral and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC). About 45 min after stimulation the FC of rostral and dACC strongly decreased further, as did the FC of right anterior insula (AI) with the DMN. Also, we report a positive correlation between the FC decrease in the rostral ACC and the HA domain of TCI, indicating that the HA scores can potentially predict iTBS response. Overall, our results show the time lapse by which iTBS at left-DLPFC targets reduces the FC between DMN and the dACC and right AI, regions typically described as nodes of the salience network.

Efficacy of coupling intermittent theta-burst stimulation and 1 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation to enhance upper limb motor recovery in subacute stroke patients: A randomized controlled trial.

Both 1 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) are reported to benefit upper limb motor function rehabilitation in patients with stroke. However, the efficacy of combining 1 Hz rTMS and iTBS has not been adequately explored. We aimed to compare the effects of 1 Hz rTMS and the combination of 1 Hz rTMS and iTBS on the upper limb motor function in the subacute phase post-stroke. Twenty-eight participants were randomly assigned to three groups: Group A (1 Hz rTMS over the contralesional primary motor cortex (M1) and iTBS over the ipsilesional M1), Group B (contralesional 1 Hz rTMS and ipsilesional sham iTBS), and Group C (contralesional sham 1 Hz rTMS and ipsilesional sham iTBS). The participants received the same conventional rehabilitation accompanied by sessions of transcranial magnetic stimulation for two weeks (5 days one week). Motor-evoked potential (MEP), upper extremity Fugl-Meyer Assessment (UE-FMA), and Barthel Index (BI) were performed before and after the sessions. Group A showed greater UE-FMA, BI, and MEP amplitude improvement and more significant decrement in MEP latency compared to Group B and Group C in testable patients. Correlation analyses in Group A revealed a close relation between ipsilesional MEP amplitude increment and UE-FMA gain. The combining of 1 Hz rTMS and iTBS protocol in the present study is tolerable and more beneficial for motor improvement than the single use of 1 Hz rTMS in patients with subacute stroke.

1 Hz Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation of the Primary Motor Cortex: Impact on Excitability and Task Performance in Healthy Subjects.

Neuronavigated repetitive transcranial stimulation (rTMS) at a frequency of 1 Hz was shown to reduce excitability in underlying brain areas while increasing excitability in the opposite hemisphere. In stroke patients, this principle is used to normalize activity between the lesioned and healthy hemispheres and to facilitate rehabilitation. However, standardization is lacking in applied protocols, and there is a poor understanding of the underlying physiologic mechanisms. Furthermore, the influence of hemispheric dominance on the intervention has not been studied before. A systematic evaluation of the effects in healthy subjects would deepen the understanding of these mechanisms and offer insights into ways to improve the intervention. Twenty healthy subjects underwent five 15-minute sessions of neuronavigated rTMS or sham stimulation over their dominant or nondominant motor cortex. Dominance was assessed with the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory. Changes in both hemispheres were measured using behavioral parameters (finger tapping, grip force, and finger dexterity) and TMS measures (resting motor threshold, recruitment curve, motor area, and cortical silent period). All subjects tolerated the stimulation well. A pronounced improvement was noted in finger tapping scores over the nonstimulated hemisphere as well as a nonsignificant reduction of the cortical silent period in the stimulated hemisphere, indicating a differential effect of the rTMS on both hemispheres. Grip force remained at the baseline level in the rTMS group while decreasing in the sham group, suggesting the rTMS counterbalanced the effects of fatigue. Lastly, dominance did not influence any of the observed effects. This study shows the capability of the applied low-frequency rTMS protocol to modify excitability of underlying brain areas as well as the contralateral hemisphere. It also highlights the need for a better understanding of underlying mechanisms and the identification of predictors for responsiveness to rTMS. However, results should be interpreted with caution because of the small sample size.

Attentional and neurophysiologic effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation.

Twenty-seven healthy subjects were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 equal groups : (1) experimental group (active stimulation) and (2) control group (sham stimulation). A total of 10 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation was delivered to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex at 80% of the resting motor threshold. The reaction time of the correct response, omission error, and commission error of the auditory and visual continuous performance test scores were measured. The motor evoked potentials, resting motor threshold, short-interval intracortical inhibition, and intracortical facilitation was recorded in the right first dorsal interosseous muscle to determine motor cortex excitability. The reaction time and commission error of the auditory continuous performance test were reduced significantly after 10 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (P < 0.05). Resting motor threshold and short-interval intracortical inhibition was significantly decreased after active repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (P < 0.05), with no changes in the latency and amplitude of the motor evoked potentials and intracortical facilitation. In conclusion, high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is shown to improve the attentional function and may be simultaneously associated with changes in neurophysiological activity.

Activity in the dorsal ACC causes deterioration of sequential motor performance due to anxiety

Performance anxiety can profoundly affect motor performance, even in experts such as professional athletes and musicians. Previously, the neural mechanisms underlying anxiety-induced performance deterioration have predominantly been investigated for individual one-shot actions. Sports and music, however, are characterized by action sequences, where many individual actions are assembled to develop a performance. Here, utilizing a novel differential sequential motor learning paradigm, we first show that performance at the junctions between pre-learnt action sequences is particularly prone to anxiety. Next, utilizing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we reveal that performance deterioration at the junctions is parametrically correlated with activity in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC). Finally, we show that 1 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation of the dACC attenuates the performance deterioration at the junctions. These results demonstrate causality between dACC activity and impairment of sequential motor performance due to anxiety, and suggest new intervention techniques against the deterioration.

Cost Analysis of Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS) Versus 10Hz Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) in Patients with Treatment Resistant Depression

Background: The THREE-D randomized non-inferiority trial found that 3 min intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) had comparable effectiveness to the conventional 37·5 min 10Hz rTMS protocol in patients with depression. The shorter iTBS could improve clinic capacity and reduce the per session cost of rTMS. This study compared the potential cost per course and cost per remission for iTBS versus 10Hz rTMS in depression. Methods: We conducted a cost analysis from a healthcare system perspective using patient-level data from the published THREE-D trial. Depressed adults 18 to 65 were randomized to receive either 10Hz rTMS or iTBS of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Treatment costs per patient were calculated using direct healthcare costs associated with equipment, coils, physician assessments and technician time over the entire course of treatment. Cost per remission was estimated using the proportion of patients achieving remission following treatment. Non-parametric bootstrapping was used to generate uncertainty intervals. Deterministic sensitivity analyses were performed to assess parameter uncertainty. Outcomes: From a healthcare system perspective, the average cost per patient was USD$1,108 (SD 166) for a course of iTBS and $1,844 (SD 304) for 10Hz rTMS, with a net savings of $735 (95% CI 688 to 783) per patient. The average cost per remission was $3,695 (SD 552) for iTBS and $6,146 (SD 1,015) for 10Hz rTMS, with a net savings of $2,451 (95% CI 2,293 to 2,610) per remission. Interpretation: The shorter session duration and treatment capacity increase with 3 min iTBS translate into significant cost-savings per patient and per remission when compared to 10Hz rTMS. Funding: Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Declaration of Interest: JD has received research support from CIHR, NIMH, Brain Canada, the Canadian Biomarker Integration Network in Depression, the Ontario Brain Institute, the Klarman Family Foundation, the Arrell Family Foundation, the Edgestone Foundation, a travel stipend from Lundbeck and from ANT Neuro, an advisor to BrainCheck and in-kind equipment support for this investigator-initiated trial from MagVenture. FVR receives research support from CIHR, Brain Canada, Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, and in-kind equipment support for this investigator-initiated trial from MagVenture. He has participated in an advisory board for Janssen. ZJD has received within the last 3 years both research and equipment in-kind support for an investigator-initiated study through Brainsway Ltd. and Magventure. DMB receives research support from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), National Institutes of Health – US (NIH), Weston Brain Institute, Brain Canada and the Temerty Family through the CAMH Foundation and the Campbell Research Institute. He received research support and in-kind equipment support for an investigator-initiated study from Brainsway Ltd. and he is the site principal investigator for three sponsor-initiated studies for Brainsway Ltd. He received in-kind equipment support from Magventure for this investigator-initiated study. He received medication supplies for an investigator-initiated trial from Indivior. He has participated in an advisory board for Janssen. Ethical Approval: Written informed consent was obtained from all study participants and ethics approval was granted by the research ethics boards of all three institutions.

The lasting effects of 1Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on resting state EEG in healthy subjects.

Repetitive Transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation technique that able to influence cortical excitability. Low-frequency rTMS (stimulation frequency ≤1Hz) induces long-lasting inhibitory effects on cortical excitability. In order to study the effects of 1Hz rTMS of the motor cortex on neuronal activity, 20 healthy subjects were recruited to receive rTMS, and electroencephalography (EEG) in resting condition with eye open were recorded before rTMS, at 0min, 20min, 40min, 60min after rTMS. In multiple frequency bands, power values on each channel were calculated, and functional connectivity between two channels was assessed using phase synchronization. We found an increase in power of theta-band oscillations in the frontal and the central brain areas immediately after rTMS. And alpha resting power in the central-parietal brain area did not change immediately after rTMS, but increased at 20min after rTMS. Moreover, there is a widespread increase in functional connectivity after rTMS in the theta band, whereas widespread decreases in the functional connectivity were found in the alpha band after rTMS. At the same time, there was no significant recovery on power and functional connectivity at 60min after rTMS. These results provide an evidence for a transient reorganization of neuronal activity after 1Hz rTMS over the motor cortex. In addition, low-frequency rTMS produces widespread long-lasting alterations in cortical functional connectivity.

Effects of rTMS and intensive rehabilitation in Parkinson's Disease on learning and retention.

Movement is accompanied by modulation of oscillatory activity in different ranges over the sensorimotor areas. This increase is more evident in normal subjects and less in patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD), a disorder associated with deficits in the formation of new motor skills. Here, we investigated whether such EEG changes improved in a group of PD patients, after two different treatments and whether this relates to performance. Subjects underwent either a session of 5 Hz repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) over the right posterior parietal cortex or a 4-week Multidisciplinary Intensive Rehabilitation Treatment (MIRT). We used a reaching task with visuo-motor adaptation to a rotated display in incremental 10° steps up to 60°. Retention of the learned rotation was tested before and after either intervention over two consecutive days. High-density EEG was recorded throughout the testing. We found that patients adapted their movements to the rotated display similarly to controls, although retention was poorer. Both rTMS and MIRT lead to improvement in retention of the learned rotation. Mean beta modulation levels changed significantly after MIRT and not after rTMS. These results suggest that rTMS produced local improvement reflected in enhanced short-term skill retention; on the other hand, MIRT determined changes across the contralateral sensorimotor area, reflected in beta EEG changes.

Sessions of Prolonged Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation or High-frequency 10 Hz Stimulation to Left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex for 3 Days Decreased Pain Sensitivity by Modulation of the Efficacy of Conditioned Pain Modulation

The 10 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (10 Hz-rTMS) to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex produces analgesia, probably by activating the pain modulation system. A newer rTMS paradigm, called theta burst stimulation (TBS), has been developed. Unlike 10 Hz-rTMS, prolonged continuous TBS (pcTBS) mimics endogenous theta rhythms, which can improve induction of synaptic long-term potentiation. Therefore, this study investigated whether pcTBS to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex reduced pain sensitivity more efficiently compared with 10 Hz-rTMS, the analgesic effects lasted beyond the stimulation period, and the reduced pain sensitivity was associated with increased efficacy of conditioned pain modulation (CPM) and/or intracortical excitability. Sixteen subjects participated in a randomized cross-over study with pcTBS and 10 Hz-rTMS. Pain thresholds to heat (HPT), cold, pressure (PPT), intracortical excitability assessment, and CPM with mechanical and heat supra-pain threshold test stimuli and the cold pressor test as conditioning were collected before (Baseline), 3 (Day3) and 4 days (Day4) after 3-day session of rTMS. HPTs and PPTs increased with 10 Hz-rTMS and pcTBS at Day3 and Day4 compared with Baseline (P = .007). Based on pooled data from pcTBS and 10 Hz-rTMS, the increased PPTs correlated with increased efficacy of CPM at Day3 (P = .008), while no correlations were found at Day4 or with the intracortical excitability. PerspectivePreliminary results of this comparative study did not show stronger pain sensitivity reduction by pcTBS compared with 10 Hz-rTMS to the L-DPFC. Both protocols maintained increased pain thresholds up to 24-hours after the last session, which were partially associated with modulation of CPM efficacy but not with the intracortical excitability changes.

Boosting the effect of reward on cognitive control using TMS over the left IFJ

Although an enhancing effect of reward on cognitive performance has been observed consistently, its neural underpinnings remain elusive. Recent evidence suggests that the inferior frontal junction (IFJ) may be a key player underlying such an enhancement by integrating motivational processes and cognitive control. However, its exact role and in particular a potential causality of IFJ activation is still unclear. In the present study, we therefore investigated the causal contributions of the left IFJ in motivated task switching by temporarily disrupting its activity using continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS, Exp.1) or 1 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS, Exp.2). After TMS application over the left IFJ or a control site (vertex), participants performed a switch task in which numbers had to be judged by magnitude or parity. Different amounts of monetary rewards (high vs low) were used to manipulate the participants’ motivational states. We measured reaction times and error rates. Irrespective of TMS stimulation, participants exhibited slower responses following task switches compared to task repeats. This effect was reduced in high reward trials. Importantly, we found that disrupting the IFJ improved participants’ behavioral performance in the high reward condition. For high reward trials exclusively, error rates decreased when the IFJ was modulated with cTBS or 1 Hz rTMS but not after vertex stimulation. Our results suggest that the left IFJ is causally related to the increase in cognitive performance through reward.

Individual alpha frequency proximity to stimulation frequency is associated with clinical outcome during 10 Hz repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Individual alpha frequency proximity to stimulation frequency is associated with clinical outcome during 10 Hz repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

10 Hz rTMS-induced Neural Response of Gamma Oscillations in Subgenual Anterior Cingulate Cortex (sgACC) is Anti-correlated with Left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC) in Major Depressive Disorder

Background: 10 Hz repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) administered to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is a highly effective treatment for depression. The mechanism of action of stimulation is thought to be related to transmission of local stimulation to other brain regions through brain networks. The neurophysiologic spread of this signal has not been well described.

Effects of Hand Intrinsic Muscle Facilitation and Functional Task Training on Cerebral Motor Evoked Potential after 1 Hz Low-Frequency rTMS in Stroke Patients

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of hand intrinsic muscles facilitation and functional task training with 1 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on cerebral motor cortex activity in stroke patients and to investigate the effectiveness of stroke rehabilitation. In this study, 20 adult stroke patients were randomly selected and divided into two groups of 10 each other. In the experimental group, hand intrinsic muscles facilitation and functional task training were performed after 1 Hz low frequency for 20 minutes and simple upper limb task training was performed in the control group. To investigate the changes of cerebral motor cortex activity after intervention, we measured Motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitude and latency. In both groups, MEP amplitude increased and MEP latency decreased after intervention. There was a significant difference between the two groups in MEP amplitude and latency (p 0.01) (p 0.05). Therefore, hand intrinsic muscles facilitation and functional task training with 1 Hz low frequency (rTMS) of stroke patients showed positive results in MEP amplitude and latency change of the injured cerebral cortex after stroke.

Efficacy of high-frequency (15 Hz) repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the left premotor cortex/dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in decreasing cocaine intake (the MagneTox study): A study protocol for a randomized placebo-controlled pilot trial

Cocaine use disorder (CUD) is very common and has psychological and physical consequences. Patients with CUD present hypoactivity of the prefrontal cortical area. Thus, excitatory repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) targeting the premotor cortex/dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (PMC/DLPFC), given its ability to increase prefrontal area excitability and to modulate cortico-limbic activity, could result in a decrease in cocaine intake. We designed a protocol for a monocentric, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group pilot trial, with the principal aim of assessing the efficacy of rTMS on the reduction of cocaine intake. Patients with CUD will be recruited according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, and then randomized to undergo active or sham rTMS. Our rTMS protocol will consist of 15 days of 15Hz rTMS targeting the left PMC/DLPFC. Toxicological and psychiatric assessments, urine drug tests, the Cocaine Craving Questionnaire (CCQ) and the Visual Analogic Scale (VAS) will be used to assess changes from baseline in cocaine intake and craving, mood and quality of life. Only a few studies have evaluated the efficacy of rTMS for CUD treatment in humans, with limitations concerning small sample size, short treatment duration, different rTMS protocols and the absence of a placebo-controlled group. Our study will attempt to overcome these shortcomings and will provide data that can be used for future larger studies of non-invasive left PMC/DLPFC stimulation as a treatment for CUD.

Modulation of corticomotor excitability following 10 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation predicts clinical response in patients with treatment-resistant depression

Modulation of corticomotor excitability following 10 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation predicts clinical response in patients with treatment-resistant depression

Evidence of a Causal Role for mid-Ventrolateral Prefrontal Cortex Based Functional Networks in Retrieving High-Fidelity Memory

Functional neuroimaging studies have implicated regions of both ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC) and angular gyrus in processes associated with retrieving goal-relevant information, which increases the fidelity and richness of long-term memory (LTM). To further investigate the roles of these cortical regions as nodes in functional networks with memory regions of the medial temporal lobe (MTL), we used fMRI-guided, 1 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to perturb normal neuronal function. The aim was to test the causal roles of left mid-VLPFC and left angular gyrus (AG) in MTL-VLPFC-parietal networks that have been associated with high-fidelity memory retrieval. rTMS treatments were administered immediately before blocks in an old/new recognition test, which was based on a mnemonic similarity task requiring discrimination of previously studied pictures of common objects. Capability for mnemonic discrimination was evaluated after each of three conditions: placebo control (rTMS at somatosensory cortex), mid-VLPFC target (rTMS at left pars triangularis) and parietal target (rTMS at left AG). The results showed the effect of rTMS perturbation of mid-VLPFC diminished subsequent discrimination-based memory performance, relative to placebo control, and no significant effect of perturbation of AG. These findings show a causal role for functional networks with left mid-VLPFC in high-fidelity retrieval.

Smoking Cessation With 20 Hz Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) Applied to Two Brain Regions: A Pilot Study.

Chronic smoking impairs brain functions in the prefrontal cortex and the projecting meso-cortical limbic system. The purpose of this pilot study is to examine whether modulating the frontal brain activity using high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can improve smoking cessation and to explore the changing pattern of the brain activity after treatment. Fourteen treatment-seeking smokers were offered a program involving 10 days of rTMS treatment with a follow-up for another 25 days. A frequency of 20 Hz rTMS was sequentially applied on the left dorso-lateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and the superior medial frontal cortex (SMFC). The carbon monoxide (CO) level, withdrawal, craving scales, and neuroimaging data were collected. Ten smokers completed the entire treatment program, and 90% of them did not smoke during the 25-day follow-up time. A significant smoking craving reduction and resting brain activity reduction measured by the cerebral blood flow (CBF) and brain entropy (BEN) were observed after 10 days of 20 Hz rTMS treatments compared to the baseline. Although limited by sample size, these pilot findings definitely showed a high potential of multiple-target high-frequency rTMS in smoking cessation and the utility of fMRI for objectively assessing the treatment effects.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation and environmental enrichment enhances cortical excitability and functional outcomes after traumatic brain injury

BackgroundTherapeutic strategies for traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the last three decades have failed to show significant benefit in large scale studies. Given the multitude of pathological mechanisms involved in TBI, strategies focusing on multimodality regimen have gained interest as promising future interventions. HypothesisWe hypothesized that combining noninvasive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) with rehabilitative training in an environmental enrichment (EE) can facilitate post-TBI recovery in rats via cortical excitability and reorganization. MethodsWe subjected rats to controlled cortical impact, and then assigned them to one of four groups: 1. No treatments (TBI), 2. EE after injury (TBI + EE), 3. TMS for one week (TBI + TMS), and 4. TMS for one week combined with EE (TBI + TMS/EE). For TMS, a 10 Hz repetitive TMS protocol was used. ResultsAt 7 days, TBI + TMS and TBI + TMS/EE groups had significantly increased primary somatosensory cortex local field potential (LFP) compared to TBI and TBI + EE groups (P < 0.05). Also, TBI + TMS/EE group had significantly improved performance on beam walk test compared to TBI group (P < 0.005). At 6 weeks, there was significantly higher response in TBI + TMS/EE group compared to TBI + TMS for somatosensory cortex LFP (P < 0.05), bicep motor evoked potentials (MEP) (P < 0.05), challenge ladder test performance (P < 0.01), and fMRI responses to tactile forepaw stimulation. ConclusionsWe demonstrate here for the first time the mechanism by which combined therapy using TMS and EE after TBI leads to functional improvement, possibly via cortical excitability and reorganization.

High-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex restores attention bias to negative information in methamphetamine addicts

Methamphetamine (hereafter, meth) addiction results in various emotional problems linked to structural impairments in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). In this paper, we investigated whether high-frequency (10 Hz) repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the left dorsolateral PFC (DLPFC) can improve emotional attention. Thirty-one meth addicts were randomly assigned to a 10 Hz or sham rTMS group; additionally, 31 healthy participants were enrolled, who were required to respond as correctly and quickly as possible to a yellow arrow embedded in an image depicting emotional content (neutral, fear, sadness, or disgust). Results showed that the healthy participants responded more rapidly to negative compared to neutral stimuli, while meth addicts responded indiscriminately to stimuli representing disgust, fear, and neutral content. The randomization check showed no significant differences in the pretest of emotional attention measures between the 10 Hz and sham groups. However, 10 Hz rTMS yielded faster response to negative pictures than to neutral pictures, which was similar to the performance of healthy participants but Sham not. However, this attention bias effect persisted in the 10 Hz group 2 weeks later. These results demonstrate that high-frequency rTMS of the left DLPFC can improve the emotional attention of meth addicts.