Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Treat Epilepsy

In this study, we will use repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) at 1.0 Hz to treat patients with poorly controlled neocortical epilepsy refractory to pharmacological treatments as a continuation of our previous study (1.0 Hz TMS in 24 patients with refractory partial epilepsy). Previously, we observed that 1.0 Hz rTMS reduced seizure frequency during the first 2 weeks after TMS, although the difference did not reach statistical significance. However, the results suggested that patients with neocortical temporal foci would have a better response than those with mesial temporal foci. We wish to see whether rTMS leads to a significant reduction in seizure frequency in neocortical epilepsy considering the depth of magnetic field. The design will include two parallel groups, one receiving active treatment, and one sham stimulation directed away from the epileptic focus. The patients and the rating physicians will be blinded to the treatment. 1.0 Hz TMS is a rate proven to induce long term depression in animal models and reported to decrease the excitability of both human and animal cerebral cortex. Our preliminary controlled study showed a trend for reduced seizure frequency after 1.0 Hz stimulation. The main outcome measure will be a reduction in seizure frequency over two weeks after stimulation.