Correlation between disability and transcranial magnetic stimulation abnormalities in patients with multiple sclerosis
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Medical Update Memo
September 10, 2009
Summary
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) may offer new insights about tracking progression and disability. J Clin Neurosci. 2009 Aug 18
Details
Some people with MS may experience a progression of their symptoms over time. However, the exact mechanisms underlying this progression are not fully understood and it is difficult to predict whose symptoms will worsen and whose will remain stable.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive method which excites neurons in the brain. Weak electric currents are induced in the tissue by rapidly changing magnetic fields (electromagnetic induction). This way, brain activity can be triggered with minimal discomfort, and the functionality of the circuitry and connectivity of the brain can be studied. TMS measures the damage of motor pathways of the central nervous system by measuring the speed of nerve fibre conduction and other related parameters.
The authors studied a group of people with MS, with and without clinical signs of motor dysfunction, and a group of healthy controls, using TMS. Researchers found that people with MS had abnormal results in the TMS as compared to the controls. The authors also found that people with a higher level of disability had more severe TMS abnormalities. The results demonstrate that TMS may be a useful tool in measuring progression in MS and better understanding the underlying processes responsible for disability in MS.
National Research and Programs
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Disclaimer
The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada is an independent, voluntary health
agency and does not approve, endorse or recommend any specific product or therapy,
but provides information to assist individuals in making their own decisions.
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