[Present and future of the transcranial magnetic stimulation]

Invest Clin. 2013 Mar;54(1):74-89.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Magnetic stimulation has called the attention of neuroscientists and the public due to the possibility to stimulate and "control" the nervous system in a non-invasive way. It has helped to make more accurate diagnosis, and apply more effective treatments and rehabilitation protocols in several diseases that affect the nervous system. Likewise, this novel tool has increased our knowledge about complex neural behavior, its connections as well as its plastic modulation. Magnetic stimulation applied in simple or paired-pulse protocols is a useful alternative in the diagnosis of diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson disease, epilepsy, dystonia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, cerebrovascular disease, and sleep disorders. From the therapeutic perspective, magnetic stimulation applied repetitively has been found useful, with different degrees of efficacy, in treating resistant depression, tinnitus, psychogenic dysphonia, Alzheimer disease, autism, Parkinson disease, dystonia, stroke, epilepsy, generalized anxiety as well as post traumatic stress disorder, auditory hallucinations, chronic pain, aphasias, obsessive-compulsive disorders, L-dopa induced dyskynesia, mania and Rasmussen syndrome, among others. The potential of magnetic stimulation in neurorehabilitation is outstanding, with excellent range of safety and, in practical terms, without side effects.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brain Diseases / diagnosis
  • Brain Diseases / metabolism
  • Brain Diseases / therapy
  • Humans
  • Mental Disorders / metabolism
  • Mental Disorders / therapy
  • Nervous System Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Nervous System Diseases / metabolism
  • Nervous System Diseases / rehabilitation
  • Nervous System Diseases / therapy*
  • Neurotransmitter Agents / blood
  • Neurotransmitter Agents / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Patient Safety
  • Patient Selection
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / adverse effects
  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / methods
  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / trends*

Substances

  • Neurotransmitter Agents