Use of transcranial magnetic stimulation to influence behavior.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive technique that allows researchers to induce electrical currents in focal areas of the cerebral cortex. These currents can transiently activate or inhibit focal cortical areas and thus influence behavior. In the 20 years since its introduction, TMS has been applied to the study and treatment of a wide variety of neurologic and psychiatric conditions. This review focuses particular attention on the use of TMS as a research tool for understanding brain-behavior relationships, an adjunct to traditional neurorehabilitation strategies, and a potential treatment option for depression and other psychiatric disorders.