Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rtms)
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rtms)

Background

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a procedure in which electrical activity in the brain is purportedly influenced by a pulsed magnetic field generated by brief current pulses through figure eight coils of wire. rTMS was initially developed for diagnostic purposes but is now used by its advocates to treat a variety of neurological and mental disorders.

rTMS is a more specific form of magnet therapy. Magnet therapy is the use of magnets to provide health benefits. rTMS uses a coil rather than a magnet to produce an electrical current and is specifically used on the scalp.

People use this for...

rTMS has been used for depression, eating disorders, migraines, mood disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia with auditory hallucinations, and tinnitus.

Pregnancy And Lactation: There is insufficient reliable evidence about the safety of rTMS in pregnancy and lactation; avoid use.

There is insufficient reliable evidence about the effectiveness of rTMS.

Natural Medicines rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.

Dosing & administration

    Adverse effects

    General: Side effects reported after rTMS therapy include headache and the perception of unwanted noise.

    Interactions with pharmaceuticals

    None known.

    Interactions with herbs & supplements

    None known.

    Interactions with foods

    None known.

    Interactions with lab tests

    Interactions with diseases

    Mechanism of action

    Depression is thought to be caused by a disturbance in activity in the frontal cortex of the brain. According to its proponents, when the rTMS device is held close to the scalp, it allows for the non-invasive induction of a current that affects the action potentials of neurons. This induction is hypothesized to down regulate beta-adrenergic receptors and to subsequently increase the levels of dopamine and serotonin in the brain.

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    This monograph was last reviewed on 19/05/2015 18:07:47 and last updated on 19/05/2015 03:13:15. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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