1. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
Peter P. Ricci
Biomedical Engineering
BME 281 Section 1

2. Background Depression Affects 350 million people on a daily basis
The leading cause of disability worldwide and a major contributor to the global number of mental disorders
Can develop at any age, but has a median onset of 35 years old

3. Introduction
TMS is the process of using a magnetic generator to stimulation the brain cells that control mood
Early clinical implementation has shown the ability to treat the effects of major brain damage and mental disorders
Neurological Disorders
Stroke symptoms
Depression
Motor neuron disease

4. The coil then produces electric currents just above the head
Process
A magnetic field generator, or coil, is placed near the desire part to the brain
The coil then produces electric currents just above the head
The coil is attached to a pulse generator, which alternates the flow of the electric currents
The currents stimulate the neurons of the limbic system to control mood

5. Chervyakov, Alexander. “Possible mechanisms underlying the Therapeutic effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation.” Frontiers in human neuroscience 2015; 9: 303. Jun

6. Clinical Study
Research comprised of 24 drug resistant patients that were diagnosed with recurrent major depressive disorder
Patients received daily TMS treatments for 4 weeks
Patients were then split into two groups in which one received continual maintenance over a 12 month period while the other only received the initial treatment

7. Results
Results displayed a significant reduction in HDRS scores for all patients involved
Patients receiving follow-up maintenance showed even greater improvements

8. Patients with TMS Maintenance Patients without TMS Maintenance
Results
Patients with TMS Maintenance
Patients without TMS Maintenance
Baseline HDRS
23.83
23.50
Post TMS HDRS
9.83
9.92
6 month follow-up
9.33
13.75
12 month follow-up
12.92
16.17
Rapinesi, Chiara. “Maintenance Deep Transcranial Magnetic stimulation sessions are associated with reduced depressive relapses” Frontiers in Neurology 2015: 9: 16. Feb

9. Advantages & Disadvantages
BlackHawk TMS <

10. Future Implementation
Research into the effects of debilitating brain injuries
i.e. stroke & motor neuron disease
Treatment for numerous mental disorders
Hopefully a sustainable cure for depression

11. Questions?

12. References
Chervyakov, Alexander. “Possible mechanisms underlying the Therapeutic effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation.” Frontiers in human neuroscience 2015; 9: 303. Jun
Wikipedia: transcranial magnetic stimulation <
Rapinesi, Chiara. “Maintenance Deep Transcranial Magnetic stimulation sessions are associated with reduced depressive relapses” Frontiers in Neurology 2015: 9: 16. Feb
BlackHawk TMS < >