Diagnostic utility of transcranial magnetic stimulation for neurodegenerative disease: a critical review

Abstract

Neurodegenerative diseases pose significant challenges due to their impact on brain structure, function, and cognition. As life expectancy rises, the prevalence of these disorders is rapidly increasing, resulting in substantial personal, familial, and societal burdens. Efforts have been made to optimize the diagnostic and therapeutic processes, primarily focusing on clinical, cognitive, and imaging characterization. However, the emergence of non-invasive brain stimulation techniques, specifically transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), offers unique functional insights and diagnostic potential. TMS allows direct evaluation of brain function, providing valuable information inaccessible through other methods. This review aims to summarize the current and potential diagnostic utility of TMS in investigating neurodegenerative diseases, highlighting its relevance to the field of cognitive neuroscience. The findings presented herein contribute to the growing body of research focused on improving our understanding and management of these debilitating conditions, particularly in regions with limited resources and a pressing need for innovative approaches.