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Magnetic stimulation of the central and peripheral nervous systems
Author(s) -
Weber Markus,
Eisen Andrew A.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.10038
Subject(s) - transcranial magnetic stimulation , neuroscience , motor system , motor cortex , silent period , inhibitory postsynaptic potential , excitatory postsynaptic potential , psychology , stimulation , motor neuron , medicine , central nervous system , spinal cord , physical medicine and rehabilitation
Since 1985, when the technique of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was first developed, a wide range of applications in healthy and diseased subjects has been described. Comprehension of the physiological basis of motor control and cortical function has been improved. Modifications of the basic technique of measuring central motor conduction time (CMCT) have included measurement of the cortical silent period, paired stimulation in a conditioning test paradigm, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), and peristimulus time histograms (PSTH). These methods allow dissection of central motor excitatory versus inhibitory interplay on the cortical motor neuron and its presynaptic connections at the spinal cord, and have proven to be powerful investigational techniques. TMS can be used to assess upper and lower motor neuron dysfunction, monitor the effects of many pharmacological agents, predict stroke outcome, document the plasticity of the motor system, and assess its maturation and the effects of aging, as well as perform intraoperative monitoring. The recent use of rTMS in the treatment of depression and movement disorders is novel, and opens the way for other potential therapeutic applications. © 2002 American Association of Electrodiagnostic Medicine. Muscle Nerve 25: 160–175, 2002 DOI 10.1002/mus.10038