A new device to improve target localization for transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy

Accurate identification of cranial midline structures is essential for many targeting techniques that use repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), including the Beam F3 method used for depression treatment.

Evaluate whether a novel, laser-sighted device will assist with more accurate identification of the cranial midline relative to standard scalp-based measurement procedures.

Three trained TMS technicians performed repeated scalp-based measurements to identify the inion and vertex on five subjects (n = 54 measurements). Measurements were compared to points identified with the midline localizer device and the true midline as defined by MRI midline structures.

Use of the midline localizer was more accurate for midline identification than technician measurement (p = 0.00025) and the ratio of localizing the midline within 5 mm was higher (78% versus 54%, p = 0.008).

Use of a laser-sighted midline localizer device can improve the accuracy of scalp measurements associated with target localization for rTMS treatment protocols.