Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Clinical Applications: Diagnostics

Since its introduction in 1985, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has become a powerful tool for research as a noninvasive and painless technique to effectively stimulate the human cortex. Over the years, TMS has proven useful not only for the assessment of motor cortex physiology but also for the diagnosis and prognosis of many neurological disorders involving the corticospinal tract. In this chapter, we explore the theoretical and practical considerations of several key diagnostic protocols, including those used to asses motor cortical and corticospinal layout, excitability, and functional integrity. In addition, we illustrate how each of these protocols can be utilized during the diagnostic process of a number of neurological diseases, including stroke, paralysis, myelopathy, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, motoneuron disease, and varied movement disorders.