Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) treatment is increasingly being used in the management of patients with depression. Since the approval of one rTMS device in the United States in 2008, clinical services using this equipment have become relatively common there, and services are also being developed in a variety of other countries. However, considerable ignorance exists about the treatment in general psychiatric practice. This concise clinical guide will serve as a reference and practical tool for clinicians working with or learning about this treatment technique. The opening chapters provide basic information on the history and development of rTMS treatment and its mechanism of action. Use of the treatment in depression is then addressed in detail, with explanation of the evidence base and discussion of clinical issues such as selection of patients and type of treatment, dose, and treatment duration. Side-effects of treatment are explored, and careful consideration is given to various practical issues concerning the establishment of rTMS treatment programs and the training of clinicians. The final chapters will provides a brief overview of potential rTMS applications in other psychiatric conditions and some background on the use of related treatments, such as transcranial direct current stimulation.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a widely used non-invasive brain stimulation technique. It represents an exciting new frontier in neuroscience research and can be used to examine neural processes, providing insights into pathophysiology and treating a variety of neuropsychiatric illnesses. A Practical Guide to Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Neurophysiology and Treatment Studies presents an overview of the use of TMS as both an investigational tool and as treatment for neurological and psychiatric disorders. The chapters include an overview of the history and basic principles of TMS and repetitive TMS (rTMS), the different types of TMS coils, different stimulation approaches, the use of neuronavigation, and safety considerations. The utility of single and paired TMS techniques to measure cortical inhibition, facilitation, connectivity and reactivity in motor and non-motor brain areas, the different methods of using TMS to induce brain plasticity, and use of TMS in cognitive studies are explored. It also covers TMS and rTMS combined with electroencephalography (EEG) in neurophysiological studies. The authors provide a summary of the clinical applications of TMS in neurological and psychiatric disorders including depression, schizophrenia, stroke, Parkinson disease, and pain. This up-to-date volume provides a compendious review of the use of TMS and rTMS that will help guide the utility of this methodology in both clinical and research settings. This practical guide will be a useful resource for those new to the field, as well as experienced users, for both research and clinical settings.