Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation - Report Example

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Facing a new Challenge Introduction Psychological problems and disorders have become a common sight nowadays. These psychological disorders are often treated with normal medical methods like prescribing medicines and shock treatments. Today, the advancement and development in the medical field is enormous. Hospitals with world class facilities provide the patients with efficient and effective treatment. One among them is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). Transcranial Magnetic Simulation (TMS) is one of the most effective ways in treating the mental disorders. TMS is a procedure which induces magnetic fields to initiate the activities of the brain. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is based on electromagnetic induction. When compared to the other medical procedures, TMS is safe as it does not cause any side effects. Similar to the concept of electrical and magnetic fields, a stimulating coil is used to treat the affected part of the human brain. The instrument used in TMS is generally designed in such a way that the current flows from both the direction. This ensures that they converge at a particular point where the current from both the sides come to a direct contact. This instrument is placed on the area near the cortex and electrical ray passes through the scalp through the skull. Then this ray reaches the intended area below or above the cortex of the brain. TMS is performed to stimulate the functioning of the brain by stimulating the neurons. Neurons in the human brain perform the activity in a serial fashion. This neuronal activity might get disturbed and TMS is done to enable the neurons to work in a normal manner. (Gerlach, 2007). TMS is generally used when people have problems like memory issues, vision disorders, movement disorders and depression. As TMS stimulates the neurons as well as the other important nerves in the brain, it is effective in treating any sort of mental or physical disorder. TMS can be combined with any other magnetic imaging techniques to get a clear cut picture of a person’s disorder. Picture of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (Depression Treatment, 2010). Benefits of TMS Psychological problems like depression often leave the patient in an agitated state. It has been proved that TMS reduces the level of agitation to a greater extent. People affected by memory problems, concentration issues and problems with paying attention to a particular task. (Desmond, 2006). It is declared as one of the most effective method in treating depression. TMS eradicates the need for relapse as the patients respond to the treatment even during the first week of the treatment phase. This eventually reduces the need for treating them for a longer time. The effects are more as the magnetic rays target the cortex; the neurons near the cortex also get activated. This stimulates the neurons that evoke the activity of other parts of the body. Patient with movement disorder can easily recover as the motor cortex of the brain is automatically activated. (Belmaker, 2007). The functioning of the muscles can also be activated by placing the instrument at a particular place where the respective neurons reside. TMS is also effective in treating other problems like ADHD. ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is mostly found in children and these children suffer from inattentiveness. Patients diagnosed with ADHD might also have problems like depression, behavioral problems and other disorders. (Levy, 2001). They exhibit inattentiveness to any sort of an activity and might have difficulty in concentrating on a particular task. Adults affected by ADHD are generally disorganized and they find it difficult to complete a task within the stipulated time. Forgetfulness is also a symptom of ADHD. (Wender, 2000). Some people suffer from emotional disorders as they do not have the ability to deal with frustration. Certain regions of their brain often showed delay in the process of growth and development. The ability to concentrate and focus attention on a particular task becomes difficult. The cortex of the brain works at a better pace and this leads to hyperactivity in most of the children. As one part of the brain works well and another has a delayed process, it results in depression and restlessness. This can be treated by improving their behavioral pattern during the early stages of ADHD. (Selikowitz, 2007). ADHD in Adults and ADHD Genetics If an adult is affected by ADHD, his behavior and activities during his childhood must be checked and analyzed. Brain development and functioning are the major aspects that decide the severity of ADHD.(Gathercole, 2008). Researches and studies have found that genetics might also have a serious effect on ADHD. Endophenotype is considered as the link between a person’s genes and the disability or disorder. It also specifies that the disorder is inheritable and a person can inherit it from his parents. Endophenotypical factors and measures provide a clear view of the disease as the genes are examined and this is proved to be efficient when compared to other methods. ADHD can be treated by prescribing antidepressants that help the patient to overcome a depressed state. Stimulants can be used to activate the neurons which help them to perform their normal tasks. TMS can be used to treat ADHD since it activates the motor cortex of the brain, which is responsible for a normal functioning. TMS is considered as an effective method to analyze the motoneuronal system, primary part involved in the disorder. (Hallett, 2005). rTMs is proved to be effective in treating ADHD as it deals with the function of cerebral and cerebellar parts of the brain. (Walsh, 2005). TMS and rTMS are effective in treating depression, movement disorders and mental disabilities.(Chambers, 2008). Medical experts have revealed that malfunctioning of the cortex and other tissues in the brain can also be improved by means of TMS and rTMS. Hence TMS is ideal to treat a patient who has been affected by ADHD, irrespective of whether the patient is a child or an adult. Conclusion TMS is used for treating the people diagnosed with mental disorders, speech disability and other problems. It stimulates the neurons of the brain, thereby enabling the activating them to perform the intended activities. TMS is effective in treating people affected by ADHD. TMS can certainly be contributed to treat people who suffer from ADHD. The studies and researches prove that TMS is one of the best options which enable the patient to recover at a faster pace. The benefits and uses of TMS have been described and the effectiveness has also been explained. References Gerlach, M. (2007). Neuropsychiatric Disorders: An Integrative Approach. Austria: Springer-Verlag. Desmond, J. (2006). TMS Improvement of Human Cognitive Abilities. International Journal on Abnormal Human Cognition and Behavior, 17(3). Belmaker, R. (2007). Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Clinical Psychiatry. U.S.A: American Psychiatric Publishing Inc. Hallett, M. (2005). Magnetic Stimulation in Clinical Neurophysiology. U.S.A: Elseiver-Butterworth. Wender, P. (2000). ADHD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Adults. U.S.A: Oxford University Press. Selikowitz, M. (2004). ADHD: The Facts. New York: Oxford University Press. Gathercole, S. (2008). Working Memory in the Classroom. 21(5), 382-385. Retrieved from: http://www.thepsychologist.org.uk/archive/archive_home.cfm/volumeID_21-editionID_160-ArticleID_1342 Chambers, C.(2008). A Stimulating Take on Attention. 21(6), 502-505. Retrieved from: http://www.thepsychologist.org.uk/archive/archive_home.cfm/volumeID_21-editionID_161-ArticleID_1359 Levy, F.(2001). Attention, Genes and ADHD. U.S.A: Taylor & Francis Inc. Walsk, V. (2005). Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. U.S.A: MIT Press. Depression Treatment. (2010, March 5). Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. Retrieved from: http://depressiontreatmenthelp.org/transcranial.php Read More