Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Laboratory, Donald L. Gilbert MD MSc
The Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Laboratory at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center was established by Dr. Gilbert in 2001. TMS can be used to study the electrical properties of the brain. Our laboratory uses it to study motor cortex excitation and inhibition in children and adults, focusing in particular on Tourette Syndrome, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Speech Apraxia, and effects of medications.
TMS technology is experimental. It involves the use of a hand held magnetic coil attached to a capacitor that functions as a high current pulse generator. Discharging electricity into the coil creates a magnetic field with strength of up to approximately 2 Tesla, comparable to fields produced by clinical MRI scanners. When placed on the scalp, the coil's magnetic pulse induces current in underlying brain. We have used this to study the brain in children down to age 6 years. Most children tolerate the procedure and no sedation is required.
TMS pulses over motor cortex activate pyramidal motor neurons trans-synaptically, producing motor evoked potentials (MEPs) in corresponding muscles. Properties of the MEPs can be measured noninvasively using surface electrodes, amplifiers, and electrophysiology software. TMS studies of changes in the stimulation thresholds, latencies, and amplitudes of these MEPs during childhood development, in the presence of various neurologic conditions, and pre- and post-medications, have yielded important neurobiological insights.
Contact Us
Donald L. Gilbert, MD, MS
ML# 11006 Pediatric Neurology
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
3333 Burnet Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039
Phone: (513) 636-4222
Fax: (513) 636-3980
Email: donald.gilbert@cchmc.org
