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TMSList
47 Terms Defined

TMS
Glossary

From rTMS and theta burst to DLPFC and motor threshold. Every term you will encounter in TMS therapy, explained in plain language.

47
Terms
17
Letters
A
4 terms
Accelerated TMS
A protocol that delivers multiple TMS sessions per day over a compressed timeframe (typically 1-5 days instead of 6 weeks), based on the Stanford SAINT protocol. Aims to achieve faster symptom relief.
Active Motor Threshold
The minimum TMS intensity required to produce a motor evoked potential while the target muscle is under voluntary contraction. Used less commonly than resting motor threshold for calibration.
Adjunctive Therapy
A treatment used alongside a primary treatment. TMS is often used as adjunctive therapy with antidepressant medications rather than as a standalone treatment.
ARIA (Automated Robotic Image-guided Apparatus)
A robotic positioning system used with some TMS devices to automatically position the coil over the correct brain target using neuronavigation.
B
3 terms
Bilateral TMS
A protocol that stimulates both hemispheres of the brain in a single session — typically high-frequency to the left DLPFC followed by low-frequency to the right DLPFC.
BrainsWay
An Israeli medical device company that manufactures the BrainsWay Deep TMS System using H-coil technology. FDA-cleared for major depressive disorder (2013), OCD (2018), and smoking cessation (2020).
Burst Stimulation
A pattern of TMS delivery where pulses are grouped into short bursts rather than delivered individually. Includes theta burst stimulation (TBS) as the most studied variant.
C
3 terms
CareCredit
A healthcare financing credit card commonly used by patients to pay for TMS therapy when insurance does not cover the full cost. Offers promotional interest-free periods.
Coil
The handheld component of a TMS device that generates the magnetic field. Common types include figure-8 coils (focal stimulation) and H-coils (deeper stimulation).
Cortical Excitability
The readiness of neurons in the brain's cortex to fire in response to stimulation. TMS can increase or decrease cortical excitability depending on the frequency and protocol used.
D
3 terms
Deep TMS (dTMS)
A form of TMS using H-coil technology (developed by BrainsWay) that can stimulate deeper brain structures (up to 4cm) compared to standard figure-8 coils. FDA-cleared for depression, OCD, and smoking cessation.
DLPFC (Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex)
The primary brain target for TMS depression treatment, located in the front of the brain. Underactivity in the left DLPFC is associated with depression. Most TMS protocols target this area.
Double-Blind Study
A clinical trial design where neither the patient nor the administering clinician knows if active TMS or sham (placebo) stimulation is being delivered. The gold standard for TMS research.
E
2 terms
EEG (Electroencephalography)
A brain imaging technique that measures electrical activity via scalp electrodes. Sometimes used alongside TMS to monitor brain responses and optimize coil placement.
Express TMS
Marketing term used by some clinics for theta burst stimulation (TBS) protocols that deliver a full treatment session in approximately 3 minutes rather than the standard 19-37 minutes.
F
3 terms
FDA Clearance
Regulatory approval from the US Food and Drug Administration allowing a TMS device to be marketed for specific medical conditions. Different from FDA approval — clearance (via 510(k)) demonstrates substantial equivalence to an existing device.
Figure-8 Coil
The most common TMS coil design, shaped like a figure-8 (or butterfly). Creates a focused magnetic field at the intersection of the two loops, allowing precise targeting of specific brain regions.
fMRI (Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
A neuroimaging technique that measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow. Used in TMS research to identify optimal stimulation targets and verify treatment effects.
H
2 terms
H-Coil
A coil design developed by BrainsWay that uses a complex winding pattern inside a padded helmet. Stimulates deeper and broader brain regions than standard figure-8 coils.
HSA/FSA
Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts — tax-advantaged accounts that can be used to pay for TMS therapy out-of-pocket costs, including copays and deductibles.
I
1 term
Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS)
A specific TBS pattern where 2-second trains of theta burst pulses are delivered every 10 seconds. The excitatory (stimulating) form of theta burst stimulation, typically applied to the left DLPFC for depression.
L
1 term
Long-Term Potentiation (LTP)
A lasting strengthening of neural connections that is believed to underlie the therapeutic effects of TMS. Repeated stimulation induces LTP-like changes in targeted brain circuits.
M
5 terms
MagVenture
A Danish manufacturer of TMS devices, including the MagPro and MagVita systems. Known for versatile coil options and research-grade systems.
Maintenance TMS
Periodic TMS sessions (weekly, biweekly, or monthly) given after completing an initial treatment course to prevent relapse of symptoms. Not standardized and varies by provider.
MBS Item Number
Medicare Benefits Schedule item number (used in Australia) that determines if a medical procedure is eligible for a Medicare rebate. TMS was added to the MBS in 2021 for treatment-resistant depression.
Motor Evoked Potential (MEP)
A measurable muscle twitch (typically in the hand) produced when TMS is applied to the motor cortex at sufficient intensity. Used to determine motor threshold for treatment calibration.
Motor Threshold (MT)
The minimum intensity of TMS required to produce a visible muscle twitch in at least 50% of attempts. Used as a baseline to personalize treatment intensity for each patient.
N
5 terms
Neuromodulation
The alteration of nerve activity through targeted delivery of a stimulus (electrical, magnetic, or chemical) to specific neurological sites. TMS is a form of non-invasive neuromodulation.
Neuronavigation
A technology that uses brain imaging (MRI/CT) to guide precise TMS coil placement over the target brain region. Improves targeting accuracy compared to the standard 5cm rule.
Neuroplasticity
The brain's ability to form new neural connections and reorganize existing ones. TMS is believed to work by promoting neuroplasticity in underactive brain circuits associated with depression.
NeuroStar
A TMS system manufactured by Neuronetics, one of the first FDA-cleared TMS devices for depression (2008). Uses a figure-8 coil and offers the NeuroStar Advanced Therapy system with proprietary treatment protocols.
NICE Approval
Guidance from the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommending TMS as a treatment option. NICE has recommended rTMS for depression since 2015.
O
1 term
OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)
A mental health condition characterized by intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors. Deep TMS (BrainsWay) received FDA clearance for OCD in 2018, targeting the anterior cingulate cortex.
P
2 terms
Prior Authorization
A requirement from insurance companies that a provider obtain approval before delivering TMS treatment. Typically requires documentation of medication trials, diagnosis, and treatment plan.
Pulse
A single magnetic field discharge from the TMS coil. Treatment protocols are defined by the number of pulses per session (typically 600-3,000) and pulses per second (frequency).
R
3 terms
Remission
A clinical outcome where symptoms have been reduced to below diagnostic thresholds. In TMS depression studies, remission rates typically range from 30-35% after an initial course of treatment.
Response Rate
The percentage of patients who experience a clinically significant improvement (usually 50% or greater reduction in symptom scores). TMS depression studies report response rates of 50-60%.
rTMS (Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation)
The most common form of TMS therapy, delivering repeated magnetic pulses to a specific brain target. Distinguished from single-pulse TMS used primarily in diagnostic and research settings.
S
3 terms
SAINT Protocol
Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy — a research protocol delivering 10 sessions per day over 5 days using fMRI-guided targeting. Showed 79% remission rate in the initial trial.
Sham Stimulation
A placebo condition used in TMS clinical trials where the coil is positioned or shielded to mimic the sensation of real TMS without delivering therapeutic stimulation to the brain.
Smoking Cessation
One of the FDA-cleared indications for Deep TMS (BrainsWay, 2020). Targets the bilateral insula and prefrontal cortex to reduce nicotine cravings.
T
5 terms
Theta Burst Stimulation (TBS)
An advanced TMS protocol that delivers triplets of pulses at 50Hz, repeated at 5Hz (theta rhythm). A full session can be delivered in approximately 3 minutes versus 19-37 minutes for standard rTMS.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
A non-invasive brain stimulation technique that uses magnetic fields to induce small electrical currents in targeted brain regions. Used therapeutically for depression, OCD, migraines, and smoking cessation.
Treatment Course
A standard series of TMS sessions, typically 36 sessions delivered 5 days per week over approximately 6-9 weeks. Some protocols use fewer sessions with higher daily frequency.
Treatment Protocol
The specific parameters of a TMS session including coil type, brain target, frequency, intensity (% of motor threshold), number of pulses, and session duration.
Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD)
Depression that has not responded adequately to at least two different antidepressant medications at adequate doses and durations. TRD is the primary FDA-cleared indication for TMS therapy.
V
1 term
V-coil
A newer coil design used in some TMS systems that provides a broader but still focal stimulation pattern, positioned between figure-8 and H-coil designs in terms of depth penetration.

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