Effects of rTMS Compared to SSRI as Early Treatment of Depression (Early-TMS)

Each stimulation session consists of 600 stimuli applied in bursts of 3 pulses at 50 Hz, with an interstimulus interval of 200 ms. iTBS is administered 20 times for 2 seconds to the left dlPFC, with an intertrain interval of 8 seconds and cTBS continuously for 40 seconds to the right dlPFC in alternating order.

Participants receive 4 weeks SSRI treatment with escitalopram (10mg/day) as standard drug.