RAPID-RATE TRANSCRANIAL MAGNETIC STIMULATION AND HEMISPHERIC LANGUAGEDOMINANCE - USEFULNESS AND SAFETY IN EPILEPSY

We performed rapid-rate transcranial magnetic stimulation (r-TMS) in 1 4 epileptic patients, using a coil centered over nine different positi ons on each side of the scalp and while the subjects counted aloud. We obtained lateralized speech arrest, concordant with the site of manua l preference, in only seven patients. There was transitory homonymous hemianopia (one patient), brief jerking of one arm (two patients), and affective (crying) reaction (three patients) after the end of a train of stimuli. In our experience, r-TMS is not as sensitive as previousl y reported for determination of hemispheric language dominance and may have undesirable side effects.