Alvaro Pascual-Leone: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Brain Disorders in the Digital Age

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive technology that enables stimulation (or inhibition) of specified neuronal networks in the brain.  In this episode Alvaro Pascual-Leone, a Professor in Neurology at Harvard Medical School, talks about the principle and practice of TMS and its use for the treatment of a range of brain disorders including depression, stroke, and cognitive impairment, chronic pain, and traumatic brain injuries. The technology has advanced to a point where portable in-home devices can be used for treatments under the supervision of medical experts.  TMS is also being used to understand how neural networks respond to injury and disease. TMS promises to be a valuable addition to therapies for mental and neurodegenerative disorders. In addition to TMS Dr. Pascual-Leone is working to develop and apply artificial intelligence and digital technologies and intelligent therapy assistant approaches to the broader health care system.

In addition to being a Professor at Harvard, Dr. Pascual-Leone is Medical Director, Deanna and Sidney Wolk Center for Memory Health; Senior Scientist, Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging ResearchvHebrew SeniorLife; Co Founder and Chief Medical Office Linus Health; Co Founder TI Solutions

LINKS: 

Review articles on TMS:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9700722/pdf/41386_2022_Article_1453.pdf

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8996329/pdf/nihms-1787298.pdf

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3863979/pdf/CPJ2012000737.pdf

Article on digital technology  intelligent therapy assistants:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8639502/pdf/fdgth-03-755008.pdf