Advances and Challenges in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Research on Motor Systems

Abstract Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a technique for noninvasive brain stimulation to modulate function, with a range of applications across neuroscience research and the clinical management of brain disorders. Currently, there are two major categories of applied TMS paradigms: (1) the application of single pulses with high temporal precision for brain mapping and various diagnostic objectives and (2) neural stimulation with trains of repeated pulses to alter cortical excitability, primarily for therapeutic purposes. Recently, exploration of noninvasive neuromodulation has increased considerably in both scientific and clinical research fields. The unique capabilities to both assess and change brain circuits noninvasively have made TMS a widely adopted and fast-growing applied methodology in neuromodulation. This chapter reviews recent advances, challenges, and future trends in the field of TMS as applied to the human motor systems.