Document Type

Article

Embargo Period

10-4-2006

Publication Date

10-4-2006

Abstract

When Dr Tony Barker designed and built the first modern TMS device in 1985 in Sheffield, England, he probably could not have predicted then how things would evolve with his ‘ fancy gadget’ (Barker et al., 1985). For the first time he had built a machine powerful enough to non-invasively induce currents within the brain and spinal cord. Because TMS can create focal transient lesions, as well as measure brain excitability and regional connectivity, neuroscientists all around the world are now busily using it to understand the brain. TMS research is shown at every major neuroscience meeting now, with articles constantly sprinkled in many issues of prominent journals. Dr Barker’s gadget is also evolving as a potentially important new therapy – especially for depression. However, as is often the case, technology has outpaced real understanding, and we have run into a wall. TMS is like the fancy new sports car sitting in our driveway. It looks pretty and can really move fast, however, because we lack true understanding of important brain questions, we cannot drive the sports car (TMS) to its maximum potential. Because our understanding of psychiatric diseases is still lagging, it is as if the roads are unpaved, and we do not have good maps. We are only using the technology in its crudest fashion. The fancy sports car is still in first gear, going 10 mph, with lots of stops, asking for directions.

Journal

International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1017/S146114570600736X

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