[Clinical applications of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation].
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), when delivered in trains of pulses is able to induce long-lasting changes of excitability of neuronal networks, not only in the vicinity of the stimulating coil, but also at distant sites. Results of stimulation experiments over the motor cortex indicate that the effects (excitatory or inhibitory) depend on the frequency of stimulation. These data have prompted researchers to use repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) as a therapeutic tool in various brain disorders, most notably depression. However, as long as large randomized trials have not been conducted, rTMS cannot be recommended as an alternative to validated conventional therapies of such disorders.
Maertens de Noordhout
A
A
Service Universitaire de Neurologie, Hôpital de la Citadelle, B-4000 Liège, Belgique. al.maertens@chu.ulg.ac.be
D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D059408:Pain Management; D010812:Physical Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation