Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
Dr. Rayner graduated from the University of Utah School of Medicine and completed his residency training in adult psychiatry at the University of Nevada, Reno. He is a member of the American Psychiatric Association and the clinical TMS society. He specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders,... more
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive technique that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. TMS has become increasingly popular in recent years as a therapeutic tool for various psychiatric and neurological disorders. This article will explore the mechanism of action of TMS, the current state of research on its clinical applications, and potential future developments.
Mechanism of Action
TMS works by creating a magnetic field that induces electrical currents in the brain. These currents stimulate nerve cells in the targeted area of the brain. The strength, frequency, and duration of the magnetic pulses can be adjusted to modulate the intensity and duration of the stimulation.
The mechanism of action of TMS is not fully understood, but it is thought to involve the depolarization of neurons in the stimulated area, leading to the release of neurotransmitters and the activation of local and distant brain networks. This activation can lead to changes in neural plasticity, which can be used to treat various neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Clinical Applications
TMS has been investigated as a therapeutic tool for various neurological and psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, epilepsy, and chronic pain. Depression has been the most widely studied indication, with numerous clinical trials showing that TMS can be an effective treatment for depression that is resistant to traditional antidepressant medications.
A meta-analysis of 29 randomized controlled trials found that TMS was significantly more effective than sham treatment for major depression, with an effect size of 0.55 (95% CI 0.39 to 0.71) (1). TMS has also been investigated as a treatment for anxiety disorders, with some studies showing promising results (2).
TMS has also been investigated as a treatment for schizophrenia, with several studies reporting significant improvements in positive symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions (3). TMS has also been shown to be effective in reducing the frequency and severity of seizures in patients with epilepsy (4). In chronic pain, TMS has been used to modulate pain perception and improve pain-related functional impairment (5).
Future Developments
TMS has several potential future applications, including the treatment of cognitive impairment in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis. TMS has been shown to improve cognitive function in patients with Parkinson's disease (6) and Alzheimer's disease (7), and there is ongoing research in this area.
Another potential application of TMS is the enhancement of cognitive function in healthy individuals. Several studies have shown that TMS can improve working memory, attention, and decision-making in healthy adults (8), and there is growing interest in the use of TMS for cognitive enhancement.
Conclusion
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is a non-invasive technique that can be used to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. TMS has been investigated as a therapeutic tool for various neurological and psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, epilepsy, and chronic pain. TMS has also shown promise as a treatment for cognitive impairment in neurodegenerative disorders and as a tool for cognitive enhancement in healthy individuals. With ongoing research, TMS is likely to become an increasingly important tool in the treatment of brain disorders.
If you would like to learn more about TMS and see if you may benefit from this therapy, come see us at Whole Mind (www.wholemindtms.co
References:
- Berlim MT, Van den Eynde F, Daskalakis ZJ. Clinically meaningful efficacy and acceptability of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for treating primary major depression: a meta-analysis of randomized, double-blind and sham-controlled trials. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2013;38(4):543-551.
- Riva-Posse P, Choi KS, Holtzheimer PE, et al. A connectomic approach for subcallosal cingulate deep brain stimulation surgery: prospective targeting in
