TMS

Question 1

Merton and Morton (1980)

Answer 1

first used TMS on humans

Question 2

Method

Answer 2

send voltage through a stimulating coil to create a magnetic field and induce a pulse on the brain

Question 3

Coils

Answer 3

Round - broad spatially effecting many neurons

Figure 8 - 0.05mm spatial resolution

Question 4

Length of Effects

Answer 4

Short term = single pulse

long term = repeated

Question 5

Effect on Neuronal Activity

Answer 5

Inhibitory = 1Hz or less
Excitatory = 5Hz of more

Question 6

Depth

Answer 6

Max. 7-10mm, can’t penetrate cortex

Question 7

Causal

Answer 7

TMS directly alters neuronal activity and by measuring how functions are altered can show causal relationships

Question 8

Seizures

Answer 8

TMS can induce seizures so careful patient screening is required - no medications that lower the seizure threshold, no history of epilepsy/ seizures in 1st degree relatives

Question 9

Safety Procedures

Answer 9

Wasserman (1998) there are set max. durations and intervals

Question 10

Walsh and Cowey (2000)

Answer 10

timing of pulse is key as impact is instantaneous

Question 11

Pascual-Leone et al (1996)

Answer 11

excitatory rTMS over left dorsolateral PFC reduces depression symptoms in treatment resistant patients for 14 days - not permanent

Question 12

Martin et al (2005)

Answer 12

meta-analysis says more research is needed before rTMS can be licensed for depression

Question 13

Blumberger et al (2016)

Answer 13

bilateral rTMS over DLPFC is more effective than unilateral

Question 14

Brunoni et al (2017)

Answer 14

meta-analysis shows bilateral rTMS is a good treatment for depression

Question 15

Hoffman (1999)

Answer 15

inhibitory rTMS over temporoparietal cortex reduced auditory hallucinations in schizophrenics but high ind. variability

Question 16

Marrass & Pallenti (2013)

Answer 16

case study shows excitatory rTMS over temporoparietal cortex relives auditory hallucinations in dementia patient

Question 17

Tarapore et al (2016)

Answer 17

TMS can be used in pre-surgical mapping for neuropsychology patients - but TMS doesn’t show brain networks

Question 18

Pulse Intensity

Answer 18

intensity is set using the motor threshold of Ps, but there is no guarantee that all brain regions have the same threshold response level