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49 Terms Defined

The TMS
glossary.

From rTMS and theta burst to DLPFC and motor threshold. Every term you'll encounter in TMS therapy, explained in plain language.

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49
Terms
18
Letters
A–V
Range
Medically reviewed by Dr. Karan Narwal, Mental Health Specialist & Consultant · Last reviewed: May 2026
A
4 terms
Accelerated TMS
A protocol that delivers multiple TMS sessions per day over a compressed timeframe (typically 1-5 days instead of 6 weeks), based on the Stanford SAINT protocol.
Active Motor Threshold
The minimum TMS intensity required to produce a motor evoked potential while the target muscle is under voluntary contraction.
Adjunctive Therapy
A treatment used alongside a primary treatment. TMS is often used as adjunctive therapy with antidepressant medications.
ARIA (Automated Robotic Image-guided Apparatus)
A robotic positioning system used with some TMS devices to automatically position the coil over the correct brain target using neuronavigation.
B
3 terms
Bilateral TMS
A protocol that stimulates both hemispheres of the brain in a single session — typically high-frequency to the left DLPFC followed by low-frequency to the right DLPFC.
BrainsWay
An Israeli medical device company that manufactures the BrainsWay Deep TMS System using H-coil technology. FDA-cleared for major depressive disorder, OCD, and smoking cessation.
Burst Stimulation
A pattern of TMS delivery where pulses are grouped into short bursts rather than delivered individually. Includes theta burst stimulation (TBS) as the most studied variant.
C
3 terms
CareCredit
A healthcare financing credit card commonly used by patients to pay for TMS therapy when insurance does not cover the full cost. See self-pay financing options.
Coil
The handheld component of a TMS device that generates the magnetic field. Common types include figure-8 coils (focal stimulation) and H-coils (deeper stimulation).
Cortical Excitability
The readiness of neurons in the brain's cortex to fire in response to stimulation. TMS can increase or decrease cortical excitability depending on the protocol used.
D
3 terms
Deep TMS (dTMS)
A form of TMS using H-coil technology (BrainsWay) that can stimulate deeper brain structures (up to 4cm). FDA-cleared for depression and OCD.
DLPFC (Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex)
The primary brain target for TMS depression treatment. Underactivity in the left DLPFC is associated with depression.
Double-Blind Study
A clinical trial design where neither the patient nor the administering clinician knows if active TMS or sham (placebo) stimulation is being delivered.
E
2 terms
EEG (Electroencephalography)
A brain imaging technique that measures electrical activity via scalp electrodes. Sometimes used alongside TMS to monitor brain responses.
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
A gold-standard treatment for severe, life-threatening depression. See how it compares to TMS vs ECT.
F
3 terms
FDA Clearance
Regulatory approval from the FDA allowing a TMS device to be marketed for specific medical conditions. Different from FDA approval — clearance (510(k)) demonstrates substantial equivalence to an existing device.
Figure-8 Coil
The most common TMS coil design, shaped like a figure-8. Creates a focused magnetic field at the intersection of the two loops.
fMRI (Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
A neuroimaging technique that measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow. Used in TMS research to identify optimal stimulation targets. See fMRI-guided TMS.
H
2 terms
H-Coil
A coil design developed by BrainsWay that uses a complex winding pattern inside a padded helmet. Stimulates deeper and broader brain regions than standard figure-8 coils.
HSA/FSA
Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts — tax-advantaged accounts that can be used to pay for TMS therapy out-of-pocket costs. See HSA/FSA for TMS.
I
1 term
Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS)
An excitatory TBS pattern where 2-second trains of theta burst pulses are delivered every 10 seconds, typically applied to the left DLPFC for depression.
K
1 term
Ketamine
An alternative treatment option for treatment-resistant depression. See how it compares to TMS vs Ketamine.
L
1 term
Long-Term Potentiation (LTP)
A lasting strengthening of neural connections that is believed to underlie the therapeutic effects of TMS. Learn more about neuroplasticity and TMS.
M
6 terms
Magstim TMS
UK-manufactured TMS system with over 35 years of heritage. Learn about Magstim TMS.
MagVenture TMS
A Danish manufacturer of TMS devices, including the MagPro and MagVita systems. Learn about MagVenture TMS.
Maintenance TMS
Periodic TMS sessions given after completing an initial treatment course to prevent relapse of symptoms.
MBS Item Number
Medicare Benefits Schedule item number (Australia) that determines if a procedure is eligible for a Medicare rebate. TMS was added to the MBS in 2021 for treatment-resistant depression.
Motor Evoked Potential (MEP)
A measurable muscle twitch produced when TMS is applied to the motor cortex at sufficient intensity.
Motor Threshold (MT)
The minimum intensity of TMS required to produce a visible muscle twitch in at least 50% of attempts. Used to personalize treatment intensity.
N
5 terms
Neuromodulation
The alteration of nerve activity through targeted delivery of a stimulus. TMS is a form of non-invasive neuromodulation.
Neuronavigation
Technology that uses brain imaging (MRI/CT) to guide precise TMS coil placement over the target brain region. See neuronavigation protocols.
Neuroplasticity
The brain's ability to form new neural connections and reorganize existing ones. TMS is believed to work by promoting neuroplasticity.
NeuroStar
A TMS system manufactured by Neuronetics, one of the first FDA-cleared TMS devices for depression. Learn about NeuroStar.
NICE Approval
Guidance from the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommending TMS as a treatment option (since 2015).
O
1 term
OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)
A mental health condition characterized by intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors. Deep TMS received FDA clearance for OCD in 2018.
P
2 terms
Prior Authorization
An insurance requirement that a provider obtain approval before delivering TMS treatment. Typically requires documentation of medication trials. See the prior authorization guide.
Pulse
A single magnetic field discharge from the TMS coil. Treatment protocols are defined by the number of pulses per session.
R
3 terms
Remission
A clinical outcome where symptoms have been reduced to below diagnostic thresholds. Remission rates in TMS depression studies typically range from 30-35%.
Response Rate
The percentage of patients who experience a clinically significant improvement (usually 50%+ reduction). TMS depression studies report response rates of 50-60%.
rTMS (Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation)
The most common form of TMS therapy, delivering repeated magnetic pulses to a specific brain target.
S
3 terms
SAINT Protocol
Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy — 10 sessions per day over 5 days using fMRI-guided targeting. Showed 79% remission in the initial trial. Learn about the SAINT protocol.
Sham Stimulation
A placebo condition used in TMS clinical trials where the coil is positioned or shielded to mimic the sensation of real TMS without delivering therapeutic stimulation.
Smoking Cessation
FDA-cleared indication for Deep TMS (BrainsWay, 2020). Targets the bilateral insula and prefrontal cortex to reduce nicotine cravings.
T
5 terms
Theta Burst Stimulation (TBS)
An advanced TMS protocol that delivers triplets of pulses at 50Hz, repeated at 5Hz. A full session can be delivered in about 3 minutes versus 19-37 minutes for standard rTMS. Learn about TBS.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
A non-invasive brain stimulation technique that uses magnetic fields to induce small electrical currents in targeted brain regions.
Treatment Course
A standard series of TMS sessions, typically 36 sessions delivered 5 days per week over 6-9 weeks.
Treatment Protocol
The specific parameters of a TMS session including coil type, brain target, frequency, intensity, number of pulses, and session duration.
Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD)
Depression that has not responded adequately to at least two different antidepressant medications. Primary FDA-cleared indication for TMS therapy.
V
1 term
Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)
A surgically implanted device stimulating the vagus nerve for severe treatment-resistant depression. See how it compares to TMS vs VNS.

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