Cellular and molecular mechanisms of rTMS-induced neural plasticity

Abstract

Despite its increasing use in clinical practice, our knowledge on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) remains limited. Yet, work from the past years has provided important new insights into how TMS excites neural tissue and induces neural plasticity. Emerging evidence suggests that rTMS may act on inhibitory and excitatory networks to induce the structural, functional and molecular remodeling of neuronal networks. Likewise, rTMS-mediated changes in gene expression profiles and neuromodulatory transmitter systems have been reported. Together, these studies confirm that rTMS induces plasticity in cortical brain regions. They indicate that repetitive magnetic stimulation interferes with the ability of neurons to express distinct forms of plasticity beyond the stimulation period. Hence, a biologically driven attempt to improve the use of rTMS in clinical practice has started to emerge. In this chapter we aim at providing a concise review on the current knowledge of rTMS-induced cellular and molecular mechanisms relevant for neural plasticity.