Functional magnetic resonance imaging and transcranial magnetic stimulation for major depression

Although our knowledge concerning the neurobiology of depression and other psychiatric disorders has dramatically increased, we still do not understand their fundamental pathology. A number of recent advances in technology, however, have enabled researchers to directly study the function of the brain. Two of these technologies, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), offer great promise to help elucidate (and for TMS possibly treat) the neuropathology of these disorders. Each alone has provided important information, but combined, they offer a very unique opportunity to study the diseases that our patients struggle to overcome.