Transcranial magnetic stimulation

TMS was originally developed as a tool in brain research, and has been used to stimulate or suppress brain activity in experiments on human subjects.

TMS is currently under study as a treatment for severe depression and auditory hallucinations. It is particularly interesting as it may provide an viable treatment to certain aspects of drug resistant mental illness, particularly as an alternative to electroconvulsive therapy. TMS is also under investigation for the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy.

Although research in this area is in its infancy, there is now strong evidence that TMS is an effective treatment for both depression and auditory hallucinations, with more symptoms and disorders being researched.

External links:

• http://www.musc.edu/tmsmirror/intro/layintro
• http://www.cpa-apc.org/Publications/Bulletin/current/haseyEn.asp
• Cochrane Library meta-review of TMS (http://www.cochrane.org/cochrane/revabstr/ab003493.htm)