Transcranial magnetic stimulation

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive method used to stimulate small regions of the brain. During a TMS procedure, a magnetic field generator, or "coil", is placed near the head of the person receiving the treatment. The coil produces small electric currents in the region of the brain just under the coil via electromagnetic induction. The coil is connected to a pulse generator, or stimulator, that delivers electric current to the coil.

TMS is used diagnostically to measure the connection between the brain and a muscle to evaluate damage from stroke, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, movement disorders, motor neuron disease and injuries and other disorders affecting the facial and other cranial nerves and the spinal cord.

The use of single-pulse TMS was approved by the FDA for use in migraine and repetitive TMS (rTMS) for use in treatment-resistant major depressive disorder. Evidence suggests it is useful for neuropathic pain and treatment-resistant major depressive disorder. Evidence also suggests that TMS may be useful for negative symptoms of schizophrenia and loss of function caused by stroke. As of 2014, all other investigated uses of rTMS have only possible or no clinical efficacy.