Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in treatment of psychiatric disorders - review of current studies

Current progress of basic and clinical science creates background for new therapeutic appliances of brain stimulation methods in disorders of central nervous system. This review describes present state of knowledge regarding practical aspects of one of those methods transcranial magnetic stimulation, TMS. The review was based on contemporary literature on use of transcranial magnetic stimulation in various diseases, particularly including present recommendations and guidelines as well as systematic reviews, published after year 2000. TMS is a quite novel, non-invasive, well tolerated treatment method with a low amount of transient adverse effects and complications. Development of new therapeutic protocols makes it possible to introduce this procedure in new groups of patients, including a wide range of mental disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, also cognitive function disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder. In Poland it is still hardly available, though more and more clinical centers start to perform this kind of therapy, providing proper equipment and trained personnel.