Therapeutic potential of transcranial magnetic stimulation in mental health issues

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Abstract

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive stimulation of brain tissue by creating a high- or low-intensity magnetic field that modulates the excitability of the cerebral cortex. Repetitive (rhythmic) transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) involves the application of repeated TMS pulses to a specific area of the brain. rTMS has been studied as a potential treatment for a number of psychiatric and neurological disorders. The neuromodulatory effect depends on a number of stimulation parameters, such as the target area in the brain, frequency, intensity, duration, and number of sessions, as well as patient factors such as age, disease status, medication use, and individual symptoms.

Generally, rTMS is classified as high-frequency (>1 Hz), which increases cortical excitability, and low-frequency (<1 Hz), which suppresses it [1]. A new advancement in TMS is ExoTMS® technology. This technology utilizes a new therapy protocol at three different frequencies with an increased number of magnetic pulses (6,440), which is 2-3 times more than other similar devices. Furthermore, ExoTMS pulses are trapezoidal in shape and, unlike traditional rectangular pulses, gradually deliver increasing electromagnetic energy to neurons and are non-addictive. All this reduces the therapy course to 6 sessions of 24 minutes each, compared to 30 sessions with similar devices. By stimulating the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), ExoTMS enhances arousal in this region, thereby facilitating the processing and regulation of emotions [2].

rTMS has a stimulating effect on neuronal plasticity processes, in particular on the mechanisms of long-term potentiation and depression, and the regulation of gene expression associated with the synthesis of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) [3, 4]. This article presents an overview of current data on transcranial magnetic stimulation and the capabilities of ExoTMS technology.

About the authors

Elena V. Svechnikova

Russian Biotechnology University (ROSBIOTECH); Polyclinic No. 1 of the Administrative Directorate of the President of the Russian Federation

Email: elene-elene@bk.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-5885-4872

Dr. Sci. (Med.), Professor, Head of the Department of Dermatovenereology and Cosmetology, Professor at the Department of Skin and Venereal Diseases

Russian Federation, Moscow; Moscow

Maria A. Morzhanaeva

BTL Russia

Email: maria_morzhanaeva@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-8657-9559

Cand. Sci. (Med.), Cosmetologist, Expert in Aesthetic Development

Russian Federation, Moscow

Valentina E. Lemytskaya

BTL Russia

Email: elene-elene@bk.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-5039-4691

Neurologist, Dermatovenerologist, Cosmetologist. Head of the Clinical Department

Russian Federation, Moscow

Elena V. Rzhevskaya

Polyclinic No. 1 of the Administrative Directorate of the President of the Russian Federation, Moscow

Author for correspondence.
Email: nolamz@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-7194-8219

Cand. Sci. (Med.), Chief Physician

Russian Federation, Moscow

Viktor V. Gladko

Russian Biotechnology University (ROSBIOTECH)

Email: dr.gladko@mgupp.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-3087-5038

Dr. Sci. (Med.), Professor, Director of the MICE, Head of the Department of Skin and Venereal Diseases with a Course in Cosmetology

Russian Federation, Moscow

Natalya O. Artemyeva

Expert Multidisciplinary Clinic OMNIUS

Email: natalya.artemeva.89@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-5619-6757

Cand. Sci. (Med.), Dietitian, Geneticist

Russian Federation, Moscow

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