bdirect@... writes:
> Has anyone had experience with being treated with pico Tesla magnetic
> fields for treatment of a neurological problem ?

Sandyk has coined this name for his studies on MS, Altzheimers, Parkinson's,
migraine, Tourette's syndrome, Respiratory Dyskinesia, etc. It seems to be
the same system as TMS, using pulsed fields via small coils on the head. Or
rather the other way round, Sandyk was doing it first.

Here is a pro and a con opinion.
CON
Transcranial magnetic stimulation as an alternative to electroshock therapy
in treatment resistant depressions. A literature review
Markwort S; Cordes P; Aldenhoff J
Klinik f¨ur Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie der
Christian-Albrechts-Universit¨at zu Kiel.
Fortschr Neurol Psychiatr, 65(12):540-9 1997 Dec
Abstract Transcranial magnet stimulation (TMS) is a low-risk method for
direct and localised stimulation of the cerebral cortex. For several years it
has played an important part in measurements of the central motor conduction
time (magnetically evoked potentials/MEP). Further technical and
methodological developments, such as high-frequency (rapid rate TMS/rTMS) or
triggered stimulation have led to broad scientific application of this
method. Electric convulsive therapy (ECT) has proved its value in the
treatment of various psychiatric disorders, especially in pharmaco-resistant
depression. The therapeutic mechanism is actually unclear. However, the
generalised convulsive fit appears to be the precondition for the therapeutic
effect. A disadvantage lies in the risk inherent in the necessary general
anaesthesia and the possible side effects, such as transitory states of
confusion and transient mnestic deficits. Bearing in mind the possibility
that TMS could have the same effects as ECT due to stimulations below the
convulsion threshold or to the direct or indirect stimulations of so-called
disorder-specific key regions, several pilot studies and some controlled
studies have been published during the past three years on its efficacy in
depressive disorders. The results were reported on and critically evaluated.
The results of this survey of the literature on the subject is that (r)TMS
does not represent an alternative to ECT in the therapy of pharmaco-resistant
depressions. Due to its slight and only transient antidepressive effect,
(r)TMS is also, in our opinion, not suitable as so-called add-on therapy as a
complement to antidepressant medication.

Pro
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: A Neuropsychiatric Tool for the 21st
Century
M.S. George, et al.,
Journal of Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci, 8(4), Fall 1996, p. 373-382.
Noting that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a new and noninvasive
method of direct cortical neuron stimulation, this review article discusses
recent studies showing that TMS has led to improvements in symptoms
associated with Parkinson's disease and depression.

It seems well established now as a treatment for depression.

Best wishes
--
John Bain
UK TV Sound Director, magnotherapy user & distributor
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