TMS Greatest Hits: The 5 Most Important Studies That Changed the Field

TMS research has reached a tipping point, and in this episode Dr. Harvey walks through the five studies he believes have most dramatically reshaped the field. From a Dutch randomized trial showing TMS outperforms a third antidepressant by a factor of five, to the theta burst 3D trial that compressed treatment into three minutes, to Stanford’s headline-grabbing SAINT protocol and its 90% remission claim — each study adds a new layer to how clinicians can approach treatment-resistant depression. The episode also covers a promising single-day TMS trial and emerging data on TMS plus neuroplastogens for OCD, making this a must-listen for psychiatrists and patients alike.

Study 1 — TMS vs. Antidepressants (Netherlands RCT) Dalhuisen et al., American Journal of Psychiatry, 2024 → https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39108161/

Study 2 — The THREE-D Trial (Theta Burst vs. 10 Hz rTMS) Blumberger et al., The Lancet, 2018 → https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29726344/ (Full Lancet abstract also available at: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(18)30295-2/abstract)

Study 3 — The SAINT Trial There are two key papers here — the original open-label study and the follow-up double-blind RCT:

* Original SAINT (Cole et al., Am J Psychiatry, 2020): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32252538/

* Double-blind SNT trial (Cole et al., Am J Psychiatry, 2022): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34711062/

Study 4 — Single-Day TMS (ONE-D Protocol) Vaughn & Downar et al., Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation journal, 2025 → https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S3050529125001163

Study 5 — TMS + D-Cycloserine for OCD McGirr et al., American Journal of Psychiatry, 2025 → https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39967412/

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit psychofarm.substack.com