The future of brain stimulation to treat hallucinations

Abstract

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation tool. When applied at low frequency over the left temporoparietal cortex, rTMS has been proven to reduce auditory verbal hallucinations in schizophrenia. Two main strategies aiming to improve the ef fi cacy of such approach are being developed. One is to modify the rTMS protocols; the other is to develop other brain stimulation techniques. Here, the interest to improve rTMS by improving the targeting of stimulation site, by stimulating another brain area, or by modifying stimulation parameters is discussed. Then, the major concerns of trans-direct current stimulation, epidural cortical stimulation, and deep brain stimulation are examined in the context of the pathophysiology and treatment of schizophrenia.