Magnetic brain stimulation: safety studies

Abstract

We describe short-term and long-term safety studies after low repetition rate magnetic brain stimulation in 10 normal subjects. We obtained quantitative EEG data, psychometric test results, serum prolactin and cortisol levels before and after brain stimulation. EEG and psychometric data were also obtained in 5 of these subjects 16-24 months after the initial experiment. Short-and long-term studies did not show any deleterious effects. Randt delayed recalls, however, showed a transient reduction in the score immediately after stimulation which resolved on retesting in 2 weeks. To address the question of fatigue we repeated Randt tests in 4 subjects before and after magnetic brain stimulation but without the other extensive psychometric, EEG and blood tests. Pre- and post-stimulation scores on this occasion showed no significant difference in these 4 subjects suggesting that the transient changes in the previous Randt score were related to fatigue. We conclude that single-pulse magnetic brain stimulation has no deleterious effects after magnetic brain stimulation. © 1995.