Limited evidence and ethical considerations in rTMS trials for adolescents with obsessive–compulsive disorder

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has gained regulatory approval as an adjunctive treatment for obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) in adults. However, its application in adolescents remains largely untested. This editorial examines the limited evidence available, focusing on choic...

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Main Authors: Raphael J. Leo, Brandon L. Mariotti
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press
Series:BJPsych Bulletin
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2056469425101381/type/journal_article
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author Raphael J. Leo
Brandon L. Mariotti
author_facet Raphael J. Leo
Brandon L. Mariotti
author_sort Raphael J. Leo
collection DOAJ
description Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has gained regulatory approval as an adjunctive treatment for obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) in adults. However, its application in adolescents remains largely untested. This editorial examines the limited evidence available, focusing on choice of target, stimulation depth and methodological variation. Ethical challenges surrounding the use of rTMS in vulnerable populations, including informed consent and the unknown long-term effects on neurodevelopment, are also discussed. Although rTMS holds promise for treatment-resistant adolescent OCD, a cautious and ethically rigorous approach is essential before wider clinical adoption can be considered.
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spelling doaj-art-2cf073ca950a4645a53dc4d64f4b59ce2025-08-22T11:16:03ZengCambridge University PressBJPsych Bulletin2056-46942056-47081310.1192/bjb.2025.10138Limited evidence and ethical considerations in rTMS trials for adolescents with obsessive–compulsive disorderRaphael J. Leo0https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1373-3230Brandon L. Mariotti1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8647-7592Department of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, NY, USADepartment of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, NY, USARepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has gained regulatory approval as an adjunctive treatment for obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) in adults. However, its application in adolescents remains largely untested. This editorial examines the limited evidence available, focusing on choice of target, stimulation depth and methodological variation. Ethical challenges surrounding the use of rTMS in vulnerable populations, including informed consent and the unknown long-term effects on neurodevelopment, are also discussed. Although rTMS holds promise for treatment-resistant adolescent OCD, a cautious and ethically rigorous approach is essential before wider clinical adoption can be considered.https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2056469425101381/type/journal_articleObsessive–compulsive disorderadolescencerTMS
spellingShingle Raphael J. Leo
Brandon L. Mariotti
Limited evidence and ethical considerations in rTMS trials for adolescents with obsessive–compulsive disorder
BJPsych Bulletin
Obsessive–compulsive disorder
adolescence
rTMS
title Limited evidence and ethical considerations in rTMS trials for adolescents with obsessive–compulsive disorder
title_full Limited evidence and ethical considerations in rTMS trials for adolescents with obsessive–compulsive disorder
title_fullStr Limited evidence and ethical considerations in rTMS trials for adolescents with obsessive–compulsive disorder
title_full_unstemmed Limited evidence and ethical considerations in rTMS trials for adolescents with obsessive–compulsive disorder
title_short Limited evidence and ethical considerations in rTMS trials for adolescents with obsessive–compulsive disorder
title_sort limited evidence and ethical considerations in rtms trials for adolescents with obsessive compulsive disorder
topic Obsessive–compulsive disorder
adolescence
rTMS
url https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2056469425101381/type/journal_article
work_keys_str_mv AT raphaeljleo limitedevidenceandethicalconsiderationsinrtmstrialsforadolescentswithobsessivecompulsivedisorder
AT brandonlmariotti limitedevidenceandethicalconsiderationsinrtmstrialsforadolescentswithobsessivecompulsivedisorder