Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
MagPro X100 Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive technique used to alter neuronal excitability across the scalp. Our MagVenture MagPro X100 TMS system is located at our Clayton site.
Benefits of TMS
With TMS, weak electric currents are generated in the outer layer of the brain using electromagnetic induction, allowing the study of specific cortical mechanisms (excitation/inhibition, neural plasticity) and brain connectivity in humans.
Capabilities
The MagVenture MagPro X100 TMS system offers a wide range of functionality, enabling implementation of various experimental paradigms including:
- Single and paired pulse stimulation
- Repetitive stimulation
Research applications
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Neuropsychology
- Clinical Psychology
Technical specifications and compatible equipment
- Available TMS coils:
- Cool B-65 coil
- C-B60 coil
- MRi-91 TMS coil
- Brainsight TMS neuronavigation system enables precise and individual navigation of a TMS coil above a specific anatomical area in the brain, as well as imaging-guided navigation of the TMS coil to functionally defined brain regions-of-interest
- A range of sensors that connect to a PowerLab 26T data acquisition device, such as the BioAmp cable that can be used to record EMG signals
- Compumedics SynAmps2 EEG system with TMS-compatible EEG caps (EASYCAP) dedicated for concurrent TMS-EEG research
- TMS is performed in the MRI 3T scanner with a custom made 8-channel head coil and stabilising frame to provide room to manoeuvre the MRI-compatible TMS coil and fix it in position, enabling accurate stimulation of target areas in the brain
- TMS can be timed to image acquisition during scans to prevent TMS from corrupting scans, whilst also providing information on brain activation following stimulation
Additional support
Dr Joshua Hendrikse is MBI's Brain Stimulation Coordinator and he is available to train researchers in the use of TMS for their research projects. Our Clinical Support Team can provide valuable guidance (computer software and hardware troubleshooting and installation, equipment troubleshooting, training, and neurobehavioural computer task programming) and our Administrative Team can help you navigate the relevant procedures.
Research using TMS at MBI
Monash University researchers are applying TMS to understand how we can modulate brain-behaviour relationships including processes underlying memory/learning and emotional regulation.