Accelerated Theta Burst Stimulation for Inpatients With Bipolar Disorder

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is an established technology as therapy for treatment-resistant depression. The approved method for treatment is 10Hz stimulation for 40 minutes over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (L-DLPFC). This methodology has been very successful in real-world situations. The limitations of this approach include the duration of the treatment (approximately 40 minutes per treatment session over 4-6 weeks). Recently, researchers have modified the treatment parameters to reduce treatment times with some preliminary success. In a recent study, an accelerated paradigm showed a significant antidepressant effect (90% remission rate) in individuals with treatment-resistant depression (TRD), in only 5 days. Additionally, 5 participants from this study carried a bipolar diagnosis and responded similarly, with no adverse events experienced or manic/hypomanic conversion observed during the treatment series. In parallel to this, evidence in the literature shows that right prefrontal rapid TMS is safe and efficacious in the treatment of bipolar mania showing laterality opposed to the proposed effect of rapid TMS in depression. The current trial intends to utilise this modified design, i.e., an accelerated theta burst stimulation treatment over the right prefrontal cortex, for manic episodes in bipolar disorder. The trial also aims to look at the change in clinical measures and neuroimaging biomarkers.