Magnetic Fields in Noninvasive Brain Stimulation

Abstract

The idea that magnetic fields could be used therapeutically arose 2000 years ago. These therapeutic possibilities were expanded after the discovery of electromagnetic induction by the Englishman Michael Faraday and the American Joseph Henry. In 1896, Arsène d'Arsonval reported his experience with noninvasive brain magnetic stimulation to the scientific French community. In the second half of the 20th century, changing magnetic fields emerged as a noninvasive tool to study the nervous system and to modulate neural function. In 1985, Barker, Jalinous, and Freeston presented transcranial magnetic stimulation, a relatively focal and painless technique. Transcranial magnetic stimulation has been proposed as a clinical neurophysiology tool and as a potential adjuvant treatment for psychiatric and neurologic conditions. This article aims to contextualize the progress of use of magnetic fields in the history of neuroscience and medical sciences, until 1985.

Non-invasive brain stimulation in neurorehabilitation: local and distant effects for motor recovery

“…NIBS techniques have been tested in a wide array of research and clinical settings (Dayan and Cohen, 2011; Song et al, 2011; Ziemann, 2011; Censor et al, 2013; Sandrini and Cohen, 2013; Vidal-Dourado et al, 2014), and the testing of NIBS to modulate learning and memory processes has attracted particular attention in the last few years (for reviews, see Tanaka et al, 2011; Kandel et al, 2012; Sandrini and Cohen, 2013). While there is wide variation in stimulation protocols, traditional TMS and tDCS mechanisms and protocols are discussed briefly here (see Figure 2 for a summary diagram; see Box 1 for safety considerations).…”

Magnetic stimulation of carotid sinus as a treatment for hypertension

“…Electrical stimulation of carotid sinus has been confirmed with substantive antihypertensive effects, but the obvious invasiveness limited its clinical application. According to Faraday electromagnetic induction theory, fluctuating magnetic fields can induce electric currents . Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) uses this principle to stimulate the central nervous system .…”

Ugo Cerletti (1877–1963): An Early Italian Father of Electroshock and a Pioneer in Many Other Ways

“…Nonetheless the title of a pioneer who applied ECT on human beings, for the cure of several severe mental illnesses (Fink 2014; Lorusso and Lucci 2009; Soreff and Bazemore 2006), is attributed to Ugo Cerletti (Beaudreau and Finger 2004) who was not aware of Aldini’s investigation on ECT (Beaudreau and Finger 2004). The successes of ECT on Aldini’s patients confirmed once more the reliability and the effectiveness of ECT (Vidal-Dourado and others 2013). The attribution of the title of the founder of electroshock to Cerletti reflects the fact that Cerletti defined the basic standards for the right application of ECT, provided early suggestions of how ECT works, noted its side effects; and after its discovery by Cerletti, ECT provided impetus for further study for many scientists all over the world (Bentivoglio and Mazzarello 2010; Faedda and others 2010; Gahr and others 2013; Lewis and others 2016; Morus 2004).…”

“…The first who tried electroshock on human beings was Giovanni Aldini (1762–1834) (Beaudreau and Finger 2004; Lewis and others 2016; Sironi 2011). Aldini had tried ECT in 1801 on schizophrenic patients (Beaudreau and Finger 2004), as well as on the treatment of melancholic people (Vidal-Dourado and others 2013; Zaghi and others 2009). Nonetheless the title of a pioneer who applied ECT on human beings, for the cure of several severe mental illnesses (Fink 2014; Lorusso and Lucci 2009; Soreff and Bazemore 2006), is attributed to Ugo Cerletti (Beaudreau and Finger 2004) who was not aware of Aldini’s investigation on ECT (Beaudreau and Finger 2004).…”