Use of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Depression.

Author: Rizvi S1, Khan AM2
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>Psychiatry, Manhattan Psychiatric Center, Manhattan, USA. <sup>2</sup>Psychiatry, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Harlingen, USA.
Conference/Journal: Cureus.
Date published: 2019 May 23
Other: Volume ID: 11 , Issue ID: 5 , Pages: e4736 , Special Notes: doi: 10.7759/cureus.4736. , Word Count: 120


Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a research tool with various effects on brain cells, can depolarize cerebral neurons noninvasively. This method offers temporal and spatial resolution and can be combined with other neurocognitive and neuro-experimental techniques. Prefrontal TMS therapy repeated daily for four to six weeks is a neuromodulation technique approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in patients resistant to medications. This technique utilizes electromagnetic induction to excite neuronal cells. Several recent studies have enhanced our understanding of this novel treatment intervention. This report reviews recent studies on the mechanism of action, patient eligibility, effectiveness, and safety of TMS in treating depression.

KEYWORDS: depression; neuromodulation; tms

PMID: 31355095 PMCID: PMC6649915 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.4736