Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Studies of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a complex disorder with distinct constellations of positive or release symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions, and negative or deficiency symptoms, such as avolition and social isolation. Studies are reviewed that use transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to probe the pathophysiology and treatment of schizophrenia. In terms of the former, studies targeting the motor cortex have suggested impaired cortical inhibitory mechanisms that may contribute to positive symptoms. In terms of the latter, some studies suggest that repetitive TMS may be useful in reducing negative symptoms and hallucinations. Although these findings are preliminary, they suggest that further studies using TMS in this patient population are warranted. (C) 2001 Academic Press