The use of transcranial magnetic stimulation in diagnosis, prognostication and treatment evaluation in multiple sclerosis

Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2015 Sep;4(5):430-436. doi: 10.1016/j.msard.2015.06.014. Epub 2015 Jun 23.

Abstract

Despite advances in brain imaging which have revolutionised the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), current imaging techniques have limitations, including poor correlation with clinical disability and prognosis. There is growing evidence that electrophysiological techniques may provide complementary functional information which can aid in diagnosis, prognostication and perhaps even monitoring of treatment response in patients with MS. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is an underutilised technique with potential to assist diagnosis, predict prognosis and provide an objective surrogate marker of clinical progress and treatment response. This review explores the existing body of evidence relating to the use of TMS in patients with MS, outlines the practical aspects and scope of TMS testing and reviews the current evidence relating to the use of TMS in diagnosis, disease classification, prognostication and response to symptomatic and disease-modifying therapies.

Keywords: Evoked Potentials; Multiple Sclerosis; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Multiple Sclerosis / classification
  • Multiple Sclerosis / diagnosis*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / physiopathology
  • Multiple Sclerosis / therapy
  • Prognosis
  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / adverse effects
  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / methods*
  • Treatment Outcome