Non invasive brain stimulation : modeling and experimental analysis of transcranial magnetic stimulations and transcranial DC stimulation as a modality for neuropathology treatment

This thesis will explore the use of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and Transcranial DC Stimulation (tDCS) as modalities for neuropathology treatment by means of both experimental and modeling paradigms. The first and primary modality that will be analyzed is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). TMS is a technique that uses the principle of electromagnetic induction to focus induced currents in the brain and modulate cortical function. These currents can be of sufficient magnitude to depolarize neurons, and when these currents are applied repetitively (repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)) they can modulate cortical excitability, decreasing or increasing it, depending on the parameters of stimulation. This thesis will explore important facets of the electromagnetic field distributions and fundamental electromagnetic interactions to lay the foundation for future development of a more complete neural model and improved stimulation techniques. First, TMS will be analyzed as a technique used in normal healthy subjects. Finite element modeling (FEM) studies will be explored for realistic healthy human head models with a particular focus placed on the TMS induced cortical currents and their dependency on coil position, normal tissue anatomy, and the electromagnetic tissue properties.

Department dc:contributor.department

Harvard University--MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2006

Author dc:creator

• Wagner, Timothy A. (Timothy Andrew), 1974-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Alvaro Pascual-Leone.

• Harvard University--MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/34476
• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Identifier URI

http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/34476

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/34476