Assessing motor speech disorders using transcranial magnetic stimulation

This paper introduces a neurophysiological technique, called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which can be used to non-invasively stimulate the cortex. TMS provides a means of examining and modifying cortical function and the central motor pathways. Operating principles, types of analyses, and methodological considerations will be discussed, together with a review of TMS applications to the study and treatment of motor speech disorders to date, with a focus on tongue function.