Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: Safety Considerations

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, or TMS, is a technique in which a brief electrical current passes through a coil of wires, thereby generating a strong magnetic field that is perpendicular to the axis of the coil. The magnetic field can pass through tissues such as skin, muscle, and bone and extend into the brain. The rapidly rising and falling magnetic field generates a brief electrical discharge in the underlying tissues, including the brain. The brief, localized electrical discharge of brain tissue has the capacity to treat brain disorders such as aphasia, neglect and depression as well as to cause harmful side-effects. This brief manuscript focuses on the potential adverse effects of TMS.