Effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on nicotine consumption and craving: A systematic review.

We performed a systematic review of the studies employing repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in subjects with smoking addiction. High-frequency (HF) rTMS over the prefrontal cortex (PFC), in particular the left dorsolateral PFC (DLPFC), might represent a save and innovative treatment tool for tobacco consumption and craving in nicotine-dependent otherwise healthy people. rTMS can be effective for this indication also in patients with schizophrenia, but the results are conflicting and sufficient evidence from large-scale trials is still lacking.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation in subjects with phantom pain and non-painful phantom sensations: A systematic review.

Several studies have applied transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in the attempt to further explore the pathophysiological mechanisms of phantom-limb pain (PLP) and non-painful phantom sensations (PS). We performed a systematic review of available evidence of this emerging technology in this indication. We identified studies which report a reduced intracortical inhibition and increased intracortical facilitation in the hemisphere contralateral to the PLP.

Ipsilateral motor evoked potentials in a patient with unihemispheric cortical atrophy due to Rasmussen encephalitis.

The role of the ipsilaterally descending motor pathways in the recovery mechanisms after unilateral hemispheric damage is still poorly understood. Motor output reorganization was investigated in a 56-year-old male patient with acquired unilateral hemispheric atrophy due to Rasmussen encephalitis. In particular, the ipsilateral corticospinal pathways were explored using focal transcranial magnetic stimulation.