Therapeutic potential of transcranial magnetic stimulation in mental health issues
Svechnikova E.V., Morzhanaeva M.A., Lemytskaya V.E., Rzhevskaya E.V., Gladko V.V., Artemieva N.O.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive stimulation of brain tissue by creating a high- or low-intensity magnetic field that modulates the excitability of the cerebral cortex. Repetitive (rhythmic) transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) involves the application of repeated TMS pulses to a specific area of the brain. rTMS has been studied as a potential treatment for a number of psychiatric and neurological disorders. The neuromodulatory effect depends on a number of stimulation parameters, such as the target area in the brain, frequency, intensity, duration, and number of sessions, as well as patient factors such as age, disease status, medication use, and individual symptoms.
Generally, rTMS is classified as high-frequency (>1 Hz), which increases cortical excitability, and low-frequency (<1 Hz), which suppresses it [1]. A new advancement in TMS is ExoTMS® technology. This technology utilizes a new therapy protocol at three different frequencies with an increased number of magnetic pulses (6,440), which is 2-3 times more than other similar devices. Furthermore, ExoTMS pulses are trapezoidal in shape and, unlike traditional rectangular pulses, gradually deliver increasing electromagnetic energy to neurons and are non-addictive. All this reduces the therapy course to 6 sessions of 24 minutes each, compared to 30 sessions with similar devices. By stimulating the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), ExoTMS enhances arousal in this region, thereby facilitating the processing and regulation of emotions [2].
rTMS has a stimulating effect on neuronal plasticity processes, in particular on the mechanisms of long-term potentiation and depression, and the regulation of gene expression associated with the synthesis of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) [3, 4]. This article presents an overview of current data on transcranial magnetic stimulation and the capabilities of ExoTMS technology.
For citations: Svechnikova E.V., Morzhanaeva M.A., Lemytskaya V.E., Rzhevskaya E.V., Gladko V.V., Artemieva N.O. Therapeutic potential of transcranial magnetic stimulation in mental health issues. Pharmateca. 2025;32(9):87-94. (In Russ.). DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/pharmateca.2025.9.87-94
Authors’ contribution: E.V. Svechnikova – study conception, formulation of the objectives, approval of the final version. M.A. Morzhanaeva, V.E. Lemytskaya, E.V. Rzhevskaya, V.V. Gladko, N.O. Artemieva collected, processed, and systematized the materials and prepared the article.
Conflicts of interest: M.A. Morzhanaeva and V.E. Lemytskaya are employees of BTL Russia. E.V. Svechnikova, E.V. Rzhevskaya, V.V. Gladko, N.O. Artemieva declare no obvious or potential conflict of interests related to the publication of this article.
Funding: This article was prepared with the support of BTL Russia.
Keywords
transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
ExoTMS
Exomind
mental health
anxiety
depression
About the Authors
Elena V. Svechnikova, Dr. Sci. (Med.), Professor, Head of the Department of Dermatovenereology and Cosmetology, Polyclinic No. 1 of the Administrative Directorate of the President of the Russian Federation; Professor at the Department of Skin and Venereal Diseases, MICE. Russian Biotechnological University (ROSBIOTECH), Moscow, Russia; elene-elene@bk.ru, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5885-4872 (corresponding author)Maria A. Morzhanaeva, Cand. Sci. (Med.), Cosmetologist, Expert in Aesthetic Development, BTL Russia, Moscow, Russia; maria_morzhanaeva@mail.ru, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8657-9559
Valentina E. Lemytskaya, Neurologist, Dermatovenerologist, Cosmetologist. Head of the Clinical Department, BTL Russia, Moscow, Russia; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5039-4691
Elena V. Rzhevskaya, Cand. Sci. (Med.), Chief Physician, Polyclinic No. 1 of the Administrative Directorate of the President of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia; nolamz@mail.ru, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7194-8219
Viktor V. Gladko, Dr. Sci. (Med.), Professor, Director of the MICE, Head of the Department of Skin and Venereal Diseases with a Course in Cosmetology, Russian Biotechnological University (ROSBIOTECH), Moscow, Russia; dr.gladko@mgupp.ru, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3087-5038
Natalya O. Artemyeva, Cand. Sci. (Med.), Dietitian, Geneticist, Expert Multidisciplinary Clinic OMNIUS, Moscow, Russia;
natalya.artemeva.89@mail.ru, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5619-6757
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