transcranial magnetic stimulation
Also written as: TMS — transcranial magnetic stimulation
A non-invasive neurostimulation technique using magnetic fields to stimulate specific brain regions for therapeutic or research purposes.
Full Definition
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) employs rapidly changing magnetic fields to generate localized electrical currents in targeted brain areas. Repetitive TMS (rTMS) can increase or decrease neuronal excitability depending on stimulation parameters. FDA-approved applications include treatment-resistant depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and migraine. The technique also serves as a research tool for studying brain function and mapping eloquent cortex before neurosurgery. Sessions are typically conducted in specialized clinical settings with appropriate safety protocols.
Usage
Usage note: Commonly abbreviated as TMS; specify whether single-pulse, paired-pulse, or repetitive protocols.
In Context
- "Transcranial magnetic stimulation provided significant depression relief after 6 weeks of treatment." — Psychiatry treatment outcome
- "Preoperative TMS mapping identified motor cortex adjacent to the tumor resection cavity." — Neurosurgical planning report