Abstract:Objective To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of combining amisulpride with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in the treatment of elderly patients with depression.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 120 elderly patients with depression who were admitted to Anding Hospital from May 2021 to May 2025. The patients were divided into two groups, with 60 cases in each group. Both groups received standard treatment. The control group received amisulpride treatment, while the observation group received amisulpride combined with rTMS. The two groups were compared in terms of depressive symptoms [Hamilton Depression Scale-17 items (HAMD-17) ], activities of daily living [Barthel Index], negative cognitive bias [Negative Cognitive Processing Bias Questionnaire (NCPBQ) ], neurobiological indicators [serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), dopamine (DA) ], quality of life [Generic Quality of Life Inventory-74 (GQOLI-74) ], and incidence of adverse reactions.Results After treatment, the observation group showed significantly lower HAMD-17 scores and higher Barthel Index scores compared to the control group. The difference in HAMD-17 scores and Barthel Index scores before and after treatment was greater in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The observation group also showed significantly lower scores in all dimensions of NCPBQ after treatment, and the difference in NCPBQ scores before and after treatment was greater in the observation group than that of the control group (P < 0.05). Additionally, the observation group had higher levels of BDNF, 5-HT, and DA after treatment, and the difference in these neurobiological markers before and after treatment was greater in the observation group than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The observation group also showed significantly higher GQOLI-74 scores in all dimensions, and the difference in GQOLI-74 scores before and after treatment was greater than that of the control group (P < 0.05). The overall incidence of adverse reactions in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05).Conclusion Amisulpride combined with rTMS can significantly improve depressive symptoms, cognitive function, and quality of life in elderly patients with depression, while effectively regulating neurotransmitter levels and demonstrating good safety.