Transcranial magnetic stimulation in schizophrenia: the contribution of neuroimaging

Curr Top Med Chem. 2012;12(21):2452-7. doi: 10.2174/156802612805289908.

Abstract

At the most basic level, the Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation(TMS) is a neuro-scientific tool that exerts its action by influencing the neo-cortical functions. However, in-spite of so many well-evidenced roles of TMS in neuropsychiatric conditions, its exact mechanism of action remains to be known. More intriguing are its therapeutic effects in Schizophrenia at the Cerebral-level. In this review, we adopt a neuro-imaging approach for this exploration. We review the present literature for the studies in Schizophrenia which have used a combination of rTMS with 1) Electroenchephalogram (EEG) 2)The functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) and the 3) Positron Emission Tomography (PET)/ Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography. The TMS-EEG combination provides direct effects of TMS on the electro- magnetic field (EMF) of brain. The TMS-fMRI/PET/SPECT combinations are very effective in exploring the functional connectivity in brains of Schizophrenia patients as well as in performing rTMS guided neuro-navigation. Our review suggests that TMS combined with other neuroimaging modalities are needed for a better clarification of its neural actions.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Electroencephalography
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Neuroimaging / methods*
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Schizophrenia / physiopathology*
  • Schizophrenia / therapy
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed / methods
  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / methods*