title: Transcranial magnetic stimulation: a possible treatment for TBI.
abstract: The purpose of this article is to outline the principles of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), to summarize the existing use of TMS as a prognostic indicator and as a therapeutic device in clinical populations, and to highlight the potential of repetitive TMS (rTMS) as an intervention for traumatic brain injury. TMS is a painless method to stimulate the human brain. Repeated applications of TMS can influence brain plasticity and cortical reorganization through stimulation-induced alterations in neuronal excitability. Existing evidence has demonstrated positive outcomes in people with motor disorders and psychiatric conditions who have received rTMS as a therapeutic intervention. These findings suggest that rTMS may be a promising treatment for people with traumatic brain injury.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Research Service, Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL 60141, USA. Theresa.Pape@va.gov
authors.forename: Theresa Louise-Bender
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Pape
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rosenow
authors.forename: Gwyn
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lewis
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology; D018795:Device Approval; D004867:Equipment Design; D004869:Equipment Safety; D006801:Humans; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome