AUTHOR=Soundara Rajan Thangavelu , Ghilardi Maria F. M. , Wang Hoau-Yan , Mazzon Emanuela , Bramanti Placido , Restivo Domenico , Quartarone Angelo 

TITLE=Mechanism of Action for rTMS: A Working Hypothesis Based on Animal Studies

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Physiology

VOLUME=8

YEAR=2017

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2017.00457

DOI=10.3389/fphys.2017.00457

ISSN=1664-042X

ABSTRACT=<p>Experiments in rodents have elucidated some of the molecular mechanisms underlying repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). These studies may be useful in a translational perspective so that future TMS studies in rodents can closely match human TMS protocols designed for therapeutic purposes. In the present work we will review the effects of rTMS on glutamate neurotransmission which in turn induce persistent changes in synaptic activity. In particular, we will focus on the role of NMDA and non-NMDA transmission and on the permissive role of BDNF-TrKB interaction in the rTMS induced after-effects.</p>