Mechanism (biology)

Macroeconomics

Quantum mechanics

Intensive care medicine

Neuroscience

Adverse effect

Refractory (planetary science)

Depression (economics)

Cognition

Psychiatry

Brain stimulation

Economics

Stimulation

Major depressive disorder

Deep transcranial magnetic stimulation

Physics

Psychology

Treatment-resistant depression

Transcranial magnetic stimulation

Internal medicine

Astrobiology

Medicine

Physical medicine and rehabilitation

Industrial Psychiatry Journal

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a recently developed noninvasive brain stimulation method for the treatment of psychiatric and neurological disorders. Although, its exact mechanism of action is still not clear, current evidence points toward its role in causing long-term inhibition and excitation of neurons in certain brain areas. As evidence steadily grows in favor of rTMS as a therapeutic tool; there is a need to develop standardized protocols for its administration. There have been no reports of any serious side effects with rTMS, though its use is restricted in those having magnetic implants or recent adverse neurological or cardiac event. Of all the psychiatric indications of rTMS, the evidence is most robust for treatment of refractory unipolar depression. This paper reviews contemporary literature highlighting the evolution of rTMS as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool, especially in the management of treatment-resistant depression.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation: A review of its evolution and current applications