Effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for eating disorders: a possible novel therapeutic approach to severe and enduring eating disorders

Abstract

Many patients suffering from eating disorders (ED) develop an recurrent and debilitating illness course. They have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness, severe and enduring anorexia nervosa (AN) imposes a heavy burden on health and public services, poses a significant burden to carers. Recently, there has been an increase in studies of the neural correlates to pathophysiology of EDs. Drawing from such findings, advances in the brain-directed treatment of AN, such as repetitive transcranial stimulation (rTMS) attract attention. In this manuscript, we described findings from outpatient with treatment-resistant AN, binge-purging type who have received single session of rTMS to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). These findings suggest that rTMS has potential as an adjunct to the treatment-resistant AN and requires further study.