Transcranial magnetic stimulation: review of the technique, basic principles and applications.
Authors: Nollet H, Van Ham L, Deprez P, Vanderstraeten G
Journal: Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
Summary
# Editorial Summary Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive neurophysiological technique that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate motor cortex and measure the integrity of descending motor tracts—currently well-established in human neurology and increasingly applied to small animal veterinary practice, though underutilised in equine medicine. The authors review the fundamental physics and methodology of TMS, examining how it generates reproducible motor evoked potentials that reflect both the functional state of corticospinal pathways and motor neuron excitability, alongside discussing technical considerations such as coil placement, stimulation intensity and measurement variables. Whilst existing equine neurological assessment relies heavily on clinical observation supplemented by imaging, cerebrospinal fluid analysis and electromyography, TMS offers a quantifiable, objective measure of motor tract function that could detect subclinical damage to descending motor pathways before clinical signs become apparent. Given that horses frequently suffer from subtle spinal cord compromise, equine herpes myeloencephalopathy and other conditions affecting motor function, TMS could become a valuable diagnostic tool for early detection and monitoring of neurological disease progression. The authors advocate for adaptation and validation of TMS protocols in equine patients, suggesting this sensitive, painless technique warrants investigation as a complementary neurological diagnostic method that could improve detection of motor pathway dysfunction and inform treatment decisions in horses with suspected central nervous system involvement.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •TMS represents a potential future diagnostic tool for equine neurological problems, though clinical protocols have not yet been established in horses
- •This technique could complement existing diagnostics (radiography, CSF analysis, EMG) but should not yet be considered a standard clinical test in equine practice
- •Veterinarians interested in equine neurology should monitor development of TMS applications as research expands from small animals to horses
Key Findings
- •Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a non-invasive, painless technique for assessing descending motor tracts in humans and small animals
- •Current applications in animals are limited to small animals, with potential but unproven utility in horses
- •The technique offers promise as an alternative to clinical neurological examination and existing ancillary tests in equine neurology