Transcranial magnetic stimulation
” Medical Applications of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation – TMS uses a magnetic coil on the patient’s head for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. – It measures […]
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Medical Applications of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
– TMS uses a magnetic coil on the patient’s head for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
– It measures brain circuit activity and is used for conditions like depression, Alzheimer’s, and motor diseases.
– TMS is FDA and NICE approved for depression treatment.
– Research shows therapeutic potential for various neurological conditions.
Safety and Adverse Effects of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
– TMS is generally safe but risks increase with therapeutic use.
– Adverse effects include fainting, seizures, and hearing loss.
– Risks escalate with higher frequency stimulation and may involve pain and cognitive changes.
– Procedure is non-invasive and relatively simple, typically performed in private clinics.
Regulatory Approvals and Coverage of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
– TMS is approved as a Class II medical device under the de novo pathway.
– NICE evaluates TMS for severe depression and migraine, with varying coverage by health insurers.
– Commercial insurance plans like Anthem and Blue Cross Blue Shield covered TMS for depression, while Medicare coverage varied by jurisdiction.
Research and Guidelines on Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
– Various studies focus on TMS for depression treatment and guidelines exist for its therapeutic use.
– Research explores safety, efficacy, and recommendations for TMS application in healthy subjects and patients.
– TMS is studied in various neurological areas and psychiatric disorders beyond depression treatment.
Specific Applications and Therapeutic Use of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
– TMS is used in understanding stroke recovery mechanisms and for motor recovery post-stroke.
– Therapeutic use of rTMS involves guidelines, risks of seizures, and efficacy in treating depressive disorders.
– Studies and reviews cover TMS applications in neurorehabilitation, diagnostic tools for various conditions, and its effects on motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders.”
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive form of brain stimulation in which a changing magnetic field is used to induce an electric current at a specific area of the brain through electromagnetic induction. An electric pulse generator, or stimulator, is connected to a magnetic coil connected to the scalp. The stimulator generates a changing electric current within the coil which creates a varying magnetic field, inducing a current within a region in the brain itself.
| Transcranial magnetic stimulation | |
|---|---|
 Transcranial magnetic stimulation (schematic diagram) | |
| Specialty | Psychiatry, neurology |
| MeSH | D050781 |
TMS has shown diagnostic and therapeutic potential in the central nervous system with a wide variety of disease states in neurology and mental health, with research still evolving.
Adverse effects of TMS appear rare and include fainting and seizure. Other potential issues include discomfort, pain, hypomania, cognitive change, hearing loss, and inadvertent current induction in implanted devices such as pacemakers or defibrillators.