OPTIMISING CURRENT DIRECTION AND INTENSITY OF TRANSCRANIAL MAGNETIC STIMULATION

摘要

A method of optimising transcranial magnetic stimulation is described. An electrical signal is applied to a coil to generate one or more magnetic field pulses for transcranial magnetic stimulation of a target cortical region of a patient. The transcranial magnetic stimulation has stimulation parameters including orientation of the coil relative to the patient and intensity of the magnetic stimulation. At least the orientation of the coil relative to the patient is varied. At different orientations of the coil relative to the patient, neuron activation at the target cortical region is determined by monitoring changes in blood flow and/or blood oxygenation, e.g. using near infra-red spectroscopy. Based on information obtained during the monitoring, one or more optimal coil orientations for the transcranial magnetic stimulation are determined. Apparatus for carrying out the method is also described.

主权项

1. A method of optimising transcranial magnetic stimulation comprising:
applying an electrical signal to a coil to generate one or more magnetic field pulses for transcranial magnetic stimulation of a target cortical region of a patient, wherein the transcranial magnetic stimulation has stimulation parameters including orientation of the coil relative to the patient and intensity of the magnetic stimulation; varying at least the orientation of the coil relative to the patient; at different orientations of the coil relative to the patient, monitoring neuron activation at the target cortical region using near infra-red spectroscopy; and based on information obtained during the monitoring, determining one or more optimal coil orientations for the transcranial magnetic stimulation.