Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

What is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a type of brain stimulation therapy, which is a noninvasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of depression. TMS is typically used when other depression treatments haven't been effective. This treatment for depression involves delivering repetitive magnetic pulses, so it's called repetitive TMS or rTMS.

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How it works

An electromagnetic coil is placed against your scalp near your forehead. The electromagnet painlessly delivers a magnetic pulse that stimulates nerve cells in the region of your brain involved in mood control and depression. It's thought to activate regions of the brain that have decreased activity in depression.

There are different ways to perform the procedure, and techniques may change as experts learn more about the most effective ways to perform treatments.

What else can TMS be used to cure?

TMS therapy for anxiety

TMS for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

TMS for stroke rehabilitation

TMS for schizophrenia

TMS for Parkinson’s disease

TMS for multiple sclerosis

TMS for nicotine addiction

TMS for chronic pain

Why it's done

Depression is a treatable condition, but for some people, standard treatments aren't effective. Repetitive TMS is typically used when standard treatments such as medications and talk therapy (psychotherapy) don't work.

According to the highest respected journal, expert written journal, peer reviewed journal the response rate for depression are between 30 to 64 percent.

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Risks

Repetitive TMS is a noninvasive form of brain stimulation used for depression. Unlike vagus nerve stimulation or deep brain stimulation, rTMS does not require surgery or implantation of electrodes. And, unlike electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), rTMS doesn't cause seizures or require sedation with anesthesia.

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Common side effects

Side effects are generally mild to moderate and improve shortly after an individual session and decrease over time with additional sessions. They may include:

• Headache
• Scalp discomfort at the site of stimulation
• Tingling, spasms or twitching of facial muscles
• Lightheadedness

Your doctor can adjust the level of stimulation to reduce symptoms or may recommend that you take an over-the-counter pain medication before the procedure.

Uncommon side effects

Serious side effects are rare. They may include:

• Seizures
• Mania, particularly in people with bipolar disorder
• Hearing loss if there is inadequate ear protection during treatment

More study is needed to determine whether rTMS may have any long-term side effects.

How you prepare

Before having rTMS, you may need a:

• Physical exam and possibly lab tests or other tests
• Psychiatric evaluation to discuss your depression

These evaluations help make sure that rTMS is safe and a good option for you.

Tell your doctor or mental health provider if:

• You're pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant.
• You have any metal or implanted medical devices in your body. In some cases, people with metal implants or devices can have rTMS.

However, due to the strong magnetic field produced during rTMS, the procedure is not recommended for some people who have the following devices:

• Aneurysm clips or coils
• Stents
• Implanted stimulators
• Implanted vagus nerve or deep brain stimulators
• Implanted electrical devices, such as pacemakers or medication pumps
• Electrodes for monitoring brain activity
• Cochlear implants for hearing
• Any magnetic implants
• Bullet fragments
• Any other metal device or object implanted in your body

• You're taking any medications, including prescription or over-the-counter medications, herbal supplements, vitamins or other supplements, and the dosages.
• You have a history of seizures or a family history of epilepsy.
• You have other mental health disorders, such as substance misuse, bipolar disorder or psychosis.
• You have brain damage from illness or injury, such as a brain tumor, a stroke or a traumatic brain injury.
• You have frequent or severe headaches.
• You have any other medical conditions.
• You've had prior treatment with rTMS, and whether it was helpful in treating your depression.

Literature

There are many studies conducted on the uses and effects of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ( TMS)

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a treatment technique that uses a magnetic field to influence brain activity. It can treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and other brain-related conditions. It’s noninvasive and can help when other treatment approaches aren’t effective. The side effects are usually mild and temporary.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive treatment that involves using a magnetic coil to influence your brain’s natural electrical activity. This treatment, first developed in 1985, now sees widespread use for a variety of mental health and brain-related conditions.

A bit of History

Among many theories and potential forms of treatment, one that stood out was the proposal that magnetic waves could affect the brain and cause a change in thinking. When the application of magnetic fields on the brain was first explored in theory, a rudimentary understanding of pain and how it is transmitted throughout the body limited potential research, as the mechanism of pain was not fully understood.

In the mid-60s and onwards, several researchers investigated the analgesic effects of stimulating the peripheral nerves in humans and several animals through the non-invasive use of a pulsed magnetic field. Then, in the mid-80s, Dr. Anthony T. Barker explored the application of magnetic fields on the brain, to treat pain and mental illness. This is where the history of TMS truly begins.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation - Wikipedia

Transcranial magnetic stimulation - Mayo Clinic