Ho-ho-ho! Gather ’round, my merry friends, for I have a tale that weaves the wonders of the mind with the magic of modern medicine. In a world not so different from the North Pole, where scientists tinker like elves in their workshops, a grand experiment took place. It was a quest to banish the Grinch-like gloom of depression, a shadow that can dim the brightest of holiday lights.

In this yuletide yarn, five centers, as bustling as Santa’s own workshop on Christmas Eve, embarked on a double-blind, randomized controlled trial. These brainy elves used what they call resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging neuronavigated connectivity-guided intermittent theta burst stimulation (or cgiTBS for short, because even Santa needs to catch his breath). They targeted a special connection in the brain, much like I target chimneys on Christmas night, between the right anterior insula and the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. It’s a bit like finding the perfect spot to place the star atop the tree.

The participants, who had been on the naughty list of ‘treatment-resistant depression’, were split into two groups. One group received the cgiTBS, while the other received a more traditional method called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) at the standard F3 location, much like leaving cookies and milk in the usual spot by the fireplace.

Over 4-6 weeks, these brave souls attended 20 sessions, hoping for a Christmas miracle to lift their spirits. And lo and behold, both groups saw a decrease in their bah-humbug symptoms over 26 weeks, with no clear winner between the two methods. It was like two children on Christmas morning, both equally delighted with their presents.

But, as with all tales of wonder, there was a note of caution. Two serious events, akin to finding coal in your stocking, were possibly related to the TMS – one case of mania and another of psychosis. It’s a reminder that even the most magical interventions must be handled with care.

In the end, the study, registered with the number ISRCTN19674644, concluded that both cgiTBS and rTMS were equally effective in battling the Scrooge-like symptoms of treatment-resistant depression. And so, with a twinkle in their eyes, the scientists continued their work, hopeful that one day every stocking would be filled with joy and every heart with cheer.

And with that, my dear friends, I must return to my sleigh, for there are toys to be delivered and joy to be spread. May your days be merry and bright, and may all your Christmases be free from the clutches of gloom. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night! 🎅🎄