Transcranial magnetic stimulation – principles of functioning, clinical application in psychiatry and neurology with special emphasis on Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract:

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a safe, non-invasive method of brain stimulation, during the procedure an electric current in the coil generates a magnetic field around the coil and induces an electric current in the brain tissue around the coil, causing action potentials to occur along with other changes in brain tissue. The effects of TMS outlast the application. TMS is used for neuroscientific research, diagnostics and treatment. TMS has been proven effective in the treatment of neurological and psychiatric conditions. The largest number of studies have been done on the use of TMS in the treatment of depression, for which it has been successfully used for years. Positive effects have been reported in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder and schizophrenia. In neurology TMS is used in the treatment of migraines, chronic pain, with positive effects on motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Research is being done on the effects of TMS on other neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease. To date research shows a positive effect on cognitive symptoms of dementia, especially when combined with cognitive training. Further controlled studies with larger cohorts and a longer follow-up period are needed.

Key words:
Alzheimer’s disease; neurology; psychiatry; transcranial magnetic stimulation; TMS