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A Primer of Magnetic Stimulation as a Tool For Neuropsychology

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Walsh V, Rushworth M.

Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, UK. vincent.walsh@psy.ox.ac.uk

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) offers the neuropsychologist a 'virtual lesion' method of investigating the effects of cortical dysfunction. Classical neuropsychology relies on patients with irreversible, and often diffuse brain lesions and these factors place limitations on the inferences that can be drawn about normal brain function. Thus the neuropsychologist is constrained by the extent to which the damaged brain undergoes reorganisation and by the inability to address questions regarding the timing of cognitive functions. TMS can disrupt cognitive functions for a few tens of milliseconds (although some effects of TMS can be seen for longer), with spatial resolution in the order of a centimetre and therefore allows one to study the role of brain areas without the masking effects of cortical reorganisation. The spatial and temporal resolutions are not unique to TMS but because TMS can be used as a temporary interference technique, it has a functional resolution with which one can address questions beyond the range of other neuroimaging and patient studies. Here we outline how TMS produces transitory 'lesion' effects, examine how the effects of stimulation spread in depth and breadth across the cortex and discuss the principles of the use of TMS in neuropsychology. Finally, we also itemise some issues of safety.
...and what an interesting link....

http://www.laurentian.ca/neurosci/publications.html

From review of just some of the abstracts from this link, which was provided on another listserv... ... MA Persinger has apparently done well over 50 studies relating to magnetic fields and transcranial magnetic stimulation, many in Perceptual and Motor Skills, but many in assorted other journals......he is amassing data that explains mood changes and changes in menstruation, mystical experiences and partial complex seizures via influence of geomagnetic changes on the limbic system (through a kind of limbic kindling), and much more ... in addition to showing increased vulnerability to geomagnetic influence in persons with both mild and more severe brain injury, and, as well, positive effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation, including reduced seizure activity and depression......I haven't yet studied the differences between positive and negative effects (it has something to do with the wave patterns and bursts, I think)... He is also presenting data showing positive effects I'm not sure what to make of this yet...However, someone on another listserv (could be one of his former students, or just someone who has read all of his stuff, and who has an engineering background) is selling a transcranial magnetic stimulator for positive spiritual experience research (its a bicycle helmet with sound CD sound generated magnetic impulses aimed at the limbic system, but it is not adjustable) for $250.00, and mine just arrived. I had to sign multiple releases promising not to use it on anyone but myself and to not call it scientific. As soon as I get the cable to connect it, I should have first
hand experience. I'll let you know...

BTW, here is one of his many abstracts...

Int J. Neurosci 1996 Nov,87 (3-4): 201-207

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