Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Abstract

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a relatively new neuro stimulation technique, which has become available in a handful of centres in the UK over the past five years. The technique involves placing a high intensity magnetic coil on the scalp and delivering a rapidly changing magnetic field, which alters the electrical properties of the underlying cortical neurons. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) involves repetitive trains of magnetic stimulations over a defined period of time.