Advances in transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and its applications in resistant depression

Abstract

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive method of brain stimulation that is receiving increasingly attention for new clinical applications. Through electromagnetic induction cortical activity can be modulated and therapeutic effects can be achieved in a variety of psychiatric and neurological conditions. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) depression is the most disabling disease in the world and 350 million people suffer from depression globally. Major depression is the most common disorder to be treated with TMS and the first mental disorder for which TMS received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). We here introduce the basic principles of TMS, discuss the latest data on safety and side effects, and present various TMS treatment protocols as well as treatment response predictors in major depressive disorder.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation as a promising method of treatment in depression and various neuropsychiatric conditions. A literature review

“…XX wieku zaczęły pojawiać się pierwsze opisy efektów stosowania TMS w zakresie zmian nastroju i objawów chorobowych u pacjentów. [1,2,3,21] Obecnie przezczaszkowa stymulacja magnetyczna znajduje coraz szersze zastosowanie kliniczne w terapii niektórych chorób i zaburzeń psychicznych, stosowana bezpośrednio lub jako metoda potencjalizująca działanie farmakoterapii oraz w diagnostyce i leczeniu schorzeń neurologicznych. Dokładny mechanizm magnetycznej stymulacji na komórki mózgowia nie jest jeszcze poznany i jest przedmiotem badań naukowych, jednak uważa się, że zmiany mogą zachodzić zarówno na poziomie pojedynczych neuronów, jak i całych sieci neuronalnych.…”

Technical Report: Efficacy and Safety of Low-Intensity Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in the Remission of Depressive Symptoms in Patients With Treatment-Resistant Depression in Mexico

“…TMS offers direct modulation of cortical activity and has been proven effective in cases of TRD, also presenting a favorable safety profile. These features make TMS a valuable therapeutic option when conventional antidepressants are insufficient [ 21 ].…”

“…When the intensity of the magnetic pulses is around 1-1.5 Tesla (T), they can generate an electric current sufficient to trigger an action potential (evoked potential). TMS has primarily been used to treat depression, especially in patients resistant to drugs (TRD), demonstrating significant therapeutic benefits leading to remission [ 21 ]. In addition, TMS has been explored for its therapeutic effects in various pathologies, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) [ 25 ], autism spectrum disorders (ASD) [ 26 - 27 ], attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) [ 28 ], Alzheimer's disease [ 29 ], anxiety [ 30 ], and tinnitus [ 31 - 32 ], among others, with robust scientific support.…”

Accelerated intermittent theta burst stimulation in smoking cessation: No differences between active and placebo stimulation when using advanced placebo coil technology. A double-blind follow-up study

“…Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is one of these noninvasive brain stimulation techniques representing a versatile intervention that has shown to be clinically effective in various contexts ( Klomjai et al, 2015 ; Mikellides et al, 2021 ; Pell et al, 2011 ). Through electromagnetic induction, time-varying magnetic fields are created via an insulated electromagnetic coil placed over a specific area of the scalp ( Koutsomitros et al, 2021 ). These magnetic fields or pulses then pass transcranially through the intact scalp to induce an electric current in the targeted neural tissue ( Klomjai et al, 2015 ; Schilberg et al, 2021 ).…”