Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation was approved by the FDA in October 2008 for patients with major depression who have failed one prior antidepressant trial. Stimulation of the brain is accomplished by a pulsed magnetic field that is passed through a coil of wire encased in plastic and held close to the head. This magnetic field penetrates the scalp and skull. The stimulation is made at regular intervals, thus the term “repetitive” TMS. In studies, rTMS appears to change brain activity [...]