transcranial magnetic stimulation in bipolar affective disorder

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation paradigm that uses a strong and rapidly alternating magnetic field to stimulate brain tissue via a coil placed on the scalp. While stimulating the brain in a manner theoretically similar to that used in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), rTMS stimulates a focal region of cortex, thereby avoiding the cognitive side effects that are often associated with ECT. It is important to note that rTMS does not produce a seizure. A few pilot studies have evaluated the efficacy of rTMS for bipolar depression, one showing positive results and another indicating a trend toward improvement in the treatment group.