Outlook on the potential of nTMS in neurosurgery

Abstract

Since 2011, we have observed rapid increase in the use of nTMS at specialized neuro-oncological centers worldwide. Like few other techniques before, preoperative functional mapping with nTMS has been integrated into the clinical workflow by neurosurgeons and clinical neurophysiologists in an unprecedented manner. In this book, we have endeavored to summarize the state of knowledge in this field. We have made every effort to describe the experiences-both positive and negative-that we have had while using nTMS in our neurosurgical departments over the last decade. In this final chapter, we focus on the future use of nTMS. Not only do we outline how nTMS itself might change, we also speculate on how nTMS might change our clinical management. In so doing, we differentiate between the diagnostic application of nTMS for mapping various brain functions, most importantly motor and language, and the therapeuticuse of nrTMS for prehabilitation (the deliberate induction of functional reorganization), including (but not limited to) postoperative deficit.