[Transcranial magnetic stimulation and cerebral physiology in psychiatric disorders].
BACKGROUND
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (tms) is a technique that is being used increasingly to investigate the biological precursors of psychiatric disorders.


OBJECTIVE
To survey the current knowledge about deficits in local cerebral physiologic processes, as measured with tms methods in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, schizophrenia or attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder.


METHODS
Aspects of cortical excitability and functional connectivity between the cerebral hemispheres as measured with single and paired-pulse tms were investigated by reviewing the scientific literature. results Obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, schizophrenia and attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder are found to be associated with aberrant cerebral excitability and impaired functional connectivity.


CONCLUSIONS
TMS is a suitable tool for examining unique aspects of brain physiology in individuals with a psychiatric condition.
Schutter
D J L G
DJ
d.schutter@uu.nl
D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D010812:Physical Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / Q000379:methods*