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Transcranial magnetic stimulation in neurology
Masahito Kobayashi1, Alvaro Pascual-Leone
1Laboratory for Magnetic Brain Stimulation, Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
The Lancet. Neurology
|July 10, 2003
Summary
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique. Repetitive TMS can alter neural excitability, offering potential for diagnosing and treating neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive method for stimulating neural tissue.
- It can target the cerebral cortex, spinal roots, cranial, and peripheral nerves.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential of TMS in understanding neural circuitry.
- To assess TMS for diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic applications in neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Main Methods:
- Application of single TMS pulses to evoke effects.
- Delivery of paired or repetitive TMS (rTMS) trains at various frequencies.
- Modulation of cerebral cortex excitability, both locally and remotely.
Main Results:
- Single TMS pulses can depolarize neurons and produce measurable outcomes.
- rTMS can modify cortical excitability at stimulated and connected remote areas.
- Studies suggest potential clinical utility, but further research is required.
Conclusions:
- TMS offers insights into the pathophysiology of neurological and psychiatric disorders.
- Further research is needed to establish the definitive role of TMS in clinical neurology and psychiatry.