3/9/23 Grand Rounds

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: Principles and Clinical Applications in Psychiatry

Speaker:

Ana María Rivas-Grajales, MD, MSc
Director of Neuropsychiatry and Neuromodulation, Department of Psychiatry, Boston Medical Center
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine

Depression is the leading cause of disability in the United States among people ages 15 to 44. While there are many effective treatments for depression, first-line approaches such as antidepressants and psychotherapy do not work for everyone. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of depression. In this session, Dr. Rivas-Grajales will review the mechanism of TMS, its clinical application and avenues for future research.

Learning Objectives:
    1. Review the technical and neuroscientific principles of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).
    2. Discuss clinical applications of TMS in psychiatry and neurology and avenues for future research.
    3. Describe the TMS clinical service at BMC.