Magnetic stimulation of the nervous system.

ABSTRACT.Magnetic stimulation is a painless and promising new technique for studying the nervous system. The basic theory and electronic circuits are straightforward. The magnetic field easily activates cerebral cortex and deep nerves that are inaccessible to conventional stimuli. Most applications thus far have been in the motor system. Thousand of patients with different neurological diseases have been studied clinically without adverse effects, and research applications are expanding.