Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Threat Memory: Selective Reduction of Combat Threat Memory P300 Response After Right Frontal-Lobe Stimulation

Using the event-related potential P3a component as a marker, the authors tested the efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for reducing hyperarousability to specific threat stimuli in one Vietnam veteran with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), who exhibited an exaggerated P3a response to combat-related pictures. Twenty minutes of 1-Hz rTMS to the right prefrontal area effected a reduction in the P3a amplitude, whereas similar rTMS to the left prefrontal area did not. In addition to providing evidence for the effectiveness of right frontal rTMS for an exaggerated response to trauma-related stimuli, this study provides electrophysiological corroboration of subjective reports of PTSD symptoms.