Magnetoelectric brain stimulation in the assessment of brain physiology and pathophysiology

Objective: To review findings from transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)- induced motor evoked potentials in normal subjects, in various neurological diseases and with pharmacologic manipulation. Methods: MEDLINE was searched to identify pertinent articles and articles r eferenced therein were also reviewed. Results: TMS is a safe and non-invasive technique which has been used widel y in the study of corticospinal and corticocortical connectivity as well as in the assessment of basal ganglia disorders, diffuse diseases, and neurop harmacology. Conclusions: TMS motor measures have utility in examination of brain struct ure and function within and beyond the corticospinal tract. These measures have both research and clinical applications. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ire land Ltd. All rights reserved.