Glowing neural networks representing transcranial magnetic stimulation effects on brain connectivity

Rewiring the Brain: Can Magnetic Stimulation Unlock New Pathways to Healing and Connectivity?

Avery Sinclair in Health & Wellness July 2025 • 4 min read.

"Explore how transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is revolutionizing our understanding and treatment of brain disorders by mapping and modulating neural networks."

The human brain, a complex network of interconnected regions, orchestrates everything from our simplest reflexes to our most profound thoughts. Understanding how these networks function and interact is a fundamental challenge in neuroscience. Traditional methods offer limited insight into the dynamic interplay within these networks.

Enter transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a non-invasive technique that uses magnetic fields to stimulate or inhibit activity in specific brain regions. TMS is emerging as a powerful tool for mapping brain connectivity and exploring the causal relationships between different areas. By carefully applying magnetic pulses and observing the resulting changes in brain activity, researchers can gain unprecedented insights into how the brain is wired and how it adapts to changing conditions.

This article delves into the exciting world of TMS and its applications in unraveling the mysteries of brain connectivity. We'll explore how this technology is being used to study various neurological and psychiatric disorders, paving the way for innovative treatments and a deeper understanding of the human brain.

How Does Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Work?

Glowing neural networks representing transcranial magnetic stimulation effects on brain connectivity

TMS operates on the principle of electromagnetic induction. A coil placed on the scalp generates a brief magnetic pulse, which passes through the skull and induces an electrical current in the underlying brain tissue. This current can either excite or inhibit neuronal activity, depending on the stimulation parameters (frequency, intensity, and pulse pattern).

The effects of TMS can be assessed using various techniques, including:

Electroencephalography (EEG): Measures electrical activity in the brain using electrodes placed on the scalp. TMS-EEG allows researchers to track the temporal dynamics of brain responses to TMS, providing insights into the speed and spread of neural activity.
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI): Detects changes in blood flow in the brain, providing a measure of neural activity. TMS-fMRI can map the spatial distribution of TMS-induced activity changes, revealing which brain regions are connected to the stimulated area.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET): Uses radioactive tracers to measure metabolic activity in the brain. TMS-PET can assess the effects of TMS on neurotransmitter release and other neurochemical processes.
Paired-Pulse TMS: Involves delivering two TMS pulses in rapid succession to probe the interactions between different brain regions. This technique can reveal facilitatory or inhibitory connections between the stimulated areas.

By combining TMS with these neuroimaging techniques, researchers can create detailed maps of brain connectivity and explore how different brain regions communicate with each other.

The Future of Brain Connectivity Research with TMS

Transcranial magnetic stimulation is revolutionizing our understanding of the brain and holds immense promise for developing new treatments for neurological and psychiatric disorders. As technology advances and research expands, we can anticipate even more groundbreaking discoveries about the intricacies of brain connectivity and the potential to unlock the brain's healing power. By understanding how the brain is wired and how it responds to stimulation, we can pave the way for personalized treatments that target the specific neural circuits underlying various conditions, ultimately improving the lives of millions.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.clinph.2017.08.007, Alternate LINK

Title: Contribution Of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation To Assessment Of Brain Connectivity And Networks

Subject: Physiology (medical)

Journal: Clinical Neurophysiology

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Mark Hallett, Riccardo Di Iorio, Paolo Maria Rossini, Jung E. Park, Robert Chen, Pablo Celnik, Antonio P. Strafella, Hideyuki Matsumoto, Yoshikazu Ugawa

Published: 2017-11-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and how does it work?

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive technique that uses magnetic fields to stimulate or inhibit activity in specific brain regions. It operates on the principle of electromagnetic induction. A coil placed on the scalp generates a brief magnetic pulse, which passes through the skull and induces an electrical current in the underlying brain tissue. This current can either excite or inhibit neuronal activity, depending on the stimulation parameters such as frequency, intensity, and pulse pattern. The induced electrical current affects the brain's neural networks, allowing researchers to study and potentially modulate brain function.

How does transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) contribute to our understanding of brain disorders?

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is instrumental in revolutionizing our understanding and treatment of brain disorders by mapping and modulating neural networks. TMS allows researchers to explore causal relationships between different brain areas. By carefully applying magnetic pulses and observing the resulting changes in brain activity, insights are gained into how the brain is wired and adapts. This can lead to a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms of neurological and psychiatric conditions, paving the way for innovative and targeted treatments.

What are the different techniques used to assess the effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)?

Several techniques are used to assess the effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). These include Electroencephalography (EEG), which measures electrical activity in the brain; functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), which detects changes in blood flow; Positron Emission Tomography (PET), which measures metabolic activity; and Paired-Pulse TMS, which delivers two TMS pulses to probe interactions between brain regions. EEG, fMRI, PET, and Paired-Pulse TMS provide different but complementary perspectives on how TMS impacts brain activity, allowing for comprehensive mapping of brain connectivity.

Can you explain how the combination of TMS with neuroimaging techniques, such as EEG, fMRI, and PET, provides detailed maps of brain connectivity?

Combining Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) with neuroimaging techniques, such as Electroencephalography (EEG), functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), and Positron Emission Tomography (PET), offers a powerful approach to mapping brain connectivity. TMS can stimulate or inhibit specific brain regions. Simultaneously, EEG tracks the temporal dynamics of brain responses, fMRI maps the spatial distribution of activity changes, and PET assesses metabolic activity and neurotransmitter release. This multi-faceted approach allows researchers to create detailed maps of brain connectivity, revealing how different brain regions communicate, and providing insights into the neural circuits underlying various brain functions and disorders.

What is the potential of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for future treatments of neurological and psychiatric disorders?

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) holds immense promise for developing new treatments for neurological and psychiatric disorders. As technology advances, TMS is expected to lead to even more groundbreaking discoveries about the intricacies of brain connectivity and the potential to unlock the brain's healing power. By understanding how the brain is wired and responds to stimulation, personalized treatments can be developed that target the specific neural circuits underlying various conditions. This could lead to significant improvements in the lives of individuals affected by these disorders, offering more effective and targeted interventions.