Numssen, O., Kuhnke, P., Weise, K., & Hartwigsen, G. (2024). Electric-field-based dosing for TMS. Imaging Neuroscience, 2, 1 - 12.

Electric-field-based dosing for TMS

Numssen, O., Kuhnke, P., Weise, K., & Hartwigsen, G.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is an invaluable non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) technique to modulate cortical activity and behavior, but high within- and between-participant variability limits its efficacy and reliability. Here, we explore the potential of electric field (e-field) based TMS dosing to reduce its variability and discuss current challenges as well as future pathways. In contrast to previous dosing approaches, e-field dosing better matches the stimulation strength across cortical areas, both within and across individuals. Challenges include methodological uncertainties of the e-field simulation, target definitions, and comparability of different stimulation thresholds across cortical areas and NIBS protocols. Despite these challenges, e-field dosing promises to substantially improve NIBS applications in neuroscientific research and personalized medicine.