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Understanding science: what we cannot know
Understanding science: what we cannot know

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Artificially stimulating the brain

While the other techniques in this section record natural brain activity, researchers can also use magnetic fields to induce an electric current in specific regions of the brain, artificially activating or suppressing the neurons there. This ‘transcranial magnetic stimulation’ (TMS) can be used therapeutically, for instance in the treatment of some cases of severe depression.

A cutaway image of a head and brain is seen. Held against the head is a device with an electromagnetic coil. Dotted arced lines indicate an invisible magnetic field penetrating the brain about halfway to its centre, with a single point in red indicating a point of focus in the brain tissue.
Figure 14 TMS
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A cutaway image of a head and brain is seen. Held against the head is a device with an electromagnetic coil. Dotted arced lines indicate an invisible magnetic field penetrating the brain about halfway to its centre, with a single point in red indicating a point of focus in the brain tissue.

Figure 14 TMS

You can follow the link below to see a demonstration of how TMS induces movement in the body.

Video 7 TMS demonstration [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] (open the link in a new window/tab so you can return here easily)