[Combination of TMS and MRT to understand neurological diseases]

Modern neuroimaging techniques, such as structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and non-invasive brain stimulation techniques, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) are increasingly used in the neuroscientific research of neurological disorders, such as stroke, tinnitus and movement disorders. These methods offer a non-invasive approach and especially in combination, not only the opportunity to add to the pathophysiological understanding of these disorders but also to provide information about the functional recovery and the natural course of the disease in a predictive way. Based on such knowledge therapeutic approaches can be adapted in a patient-tailored fashion to achieve the best therapeutic effects. Furthermore, these methods might provide additional non-invasive information for neurosurgical interventions reducing perioperative interventional risks.In the present article these aspects will be discussed with a focus on the combination of MRI and TMS especially addressed for the topic of recovery from stroke.