article = {NNB-2020-1-103} title = {Anhedonia in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is Reduced by Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)} journal = {Neurology and Neurobiology} year = {2020} issn = {2613-7828} doi = {http://dx.doi.org/10.31487/j.NNB.2020.01.03} url = {https://www.sciencerepository.org/anhedonia-in-major-depressive-disorder_NNB-2020-1-103 author = {Renée Morey ,Saxby Pridmore,Tamara May ,} keywords = {Major depressive disorder, transcranial magnetic stimulation, anhedonia} abstract ={Background: TMS is effective in the treatment of MDD. It is time and resource intensive and there is not means of predicting the eventual outcome of a course. Objective: To determine whether the change in subjective anhedonia from pre- to mid-treatment is an indicator of the eventual outcome. Methods: Naturalistic study – before and on completion of the course, the six-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD6) and a complementary six-item visual analogue scale (VAS6), with a further VAS6 administered after 10 treatments. Change in subjective anhedonia (pre- minus mid-treatment VAS6 Item 2 scores) assessed as predictor of outcome. Results: Change in subjective anhedonia predicted the ultimate outcome (post-treatment HAMD6 total score). Conclusions: A replication study is justified. Change in subjective outcome may predict the outcome of treatment – potentially alerting to the need to modify the treatment strategy for optimal effect.}