Progress
Nature 406, 147-150 (13 July 2000) | doi:10.1038/35018000
Transcranial magnetic stimulation and the human brain
Mark Hallett
Abstract
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is rapidly developing as a powerful, non-invasive tool for studying the human brain. A pulsed magnetic field creates current flow in the brain and can temporarily excite or inhibit specific areas. TMS of motor cortex can produce a muscle twitch or block movement; TMS of occipital cortex can produce visual phosphenes or scotomas. TMS can also alter the functioning of the brain beyond the time of stimulation, offering potential for therapy.
- Human Motor Control Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Building 10, Room 5N226, 10 Center Dr. MSC 1428, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1428 , USA