[The kinesiological, chemical and pathological analysis in pulsed magnetic stimulation to the brain]

Pulsed magnetic stimulation of the human brain and spinal region has been reported recently. Unlike electrical stimulation, magnetic stimulation excites the motor cortex without discomfort to the subject. This method will be used as a new clinical test to study the central motor pathway. Although no deleterious effects have been observed thus far, the safety of this technique is regarded as unproven. We have investigated kinesiological, neurochemical and pathological analysis. Our pulsed magnetic discharge system consists of a high voltage capacitor bank and flat circular coil of insulated copper wire. The high voltage capacitor bank has a maximum voltage of 900 V, a maximum current flow of 8,000 amp and 1,637 uF in condenser capacitance. Sixty four normal wistar rats each weighing 200 g were used in this study. The rats were separated into two groups. Rats in one group received pulsed magnetic stimulation 50 times in 0.5 Hz by a flat circular coil which surrounded the head of rat at 1 cm in front of the interauricular line. The rats were housed in a long circular chamber. Rats in the other group did not receive the pulsed magnetic stimulation in the long circular chamber. The details of kinesiological analysis by Animex II measurement were described in an other paper (Act Neurologica Scandinavica 73; 352-358, 1986). The measurement of monoamines, dopamine (DA), homovalinic acid (HVA), noradrenaline (NA), and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), were made according to the Mefford's method 1 hour and 4 days after the magnetic stimulation. The analysis of the pathological state was also studied 1 hour and 4 days after the magnetic stimulation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)