A APLICAÇÃO DA ESTIMULAÇÃO MAGNÉTICA TRANSCRANIANA REPETITIVA NO TRATAMENTO DA DEPRESSÃO RESISTENTE

Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) affects about one-third of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and is characterized by the failure to respond to at least two antidepressants. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been studied as an effective alternative for TRD, with potential benefits in reducing depressive symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of rTMS as an adjunctive treatment for TRD through a literature review that analyzed articles published in the last five years, using the PubMed and LILACS databases. rTMS showed effectiveness in reducing depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation in TRD patients, despite variations in stimulation protocols, such as different frequencies and durations. Although rTMS demonstrated neuroplastic effects, there was no clear evidence that these structural changes resulted in significant short-term clinical improvements. It is concluded that rTMS is a promising approach for TRD treatment, but further studies are needed to optimize protocols and understand its long-term effects.