What is transcranial magnetic stimulation?

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a relatively recent technique for the treatment of cognitive disorders such as depression or auditory hallucinations and brain research. It works using an inductive magnetic field, a similar metal detector, but significantly stronger to electrically excites neurons.

The first successful TMS study was conducted in 1985, so the field was relatively recent in medical science. TMS looks promising as an alternative to a much more invasive electroconvulsive therapy. TMS is able to be aimed at an accuracy of a few millimeters and is designed only for exploring the very surface of the brain - bark. Because many cognitive functions are located in the bark, but this is not a serious restriction.

Research is underway and the scientific community has great hopes for TMS, with preliminary experiments even indicate that one day one day could be used one day to create a machine that quickly causes a machine that quickly causes a machine that quickly causes sleeping and gives a mistakea stinging equivalent of a night of sleep in just two or three hours. Double blind studies have also shown that it is effective in the treatment of depression and migraines.

Since May 2007, more than 3,000 TM studies have been published, with positive therapeutic results from the treatment of post -traumatic stress syndrome to tinnitus (persistent ringing in the ears). TMS application to visual cortex can produce phosphanes on request. Phosphhenes are a small blur of the colored light you see when you wipe your eyes.

There are two primary types of TMS - single or pair of pulse TMS and recurring TMS (RTMS). The recurring TMS includes multiple sessions over days or weeks and is different in that it can cause long -term changes in the brain. Single Pulse TMS only works when applying a magnetic field, which limits its use for therapy, but a provisional research tool. Has been found to have a selective application of TMS temporarilyThey increase artistic skills in some patients, as in cases concerning autistic avants. As such, TMS is sometimes launched as a “Savant on Demand” technology and may have an application to improve intelligence, although it is necessary to do much more careful research.

One of the main limitations of wider deployment and other research involving TMS is that technology is relatively expensive. Numerous capacitors are required to effectively store and release the necessary energy. Most systems cost between $ 25,000 and $ 100,000 in the US, although there are "Open TMS" projects that work on the construction of systems for less than $ 1,000, within the hobby budget or an independent experimenter.