GROUNDED IN EVIDENCE. OPEN TO WHAT IS POSSIBLE.Areas of Ongoing Research
At Anew TMS, Dr. Sarah Stone follows this evolving body of research closely. For select patients, she may consider an investigational or off-label TMS approach when the available evidence, the patient’s medical history, and the potential benefits and risks support a thoughtful clinical discussion.
TMS is being studied for conditions beyond its established indications. Below are areas of active research and what the current evidence suggests. These are evolving fields, and findings should be understood as promising areas of investigation rather than established standards of care.
Cognition & Memory
Researchers are studying whether TMS can influence brain networks involved in memory, attention, and other aspects of cognitive function, including in people with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease.
What the research suggests
Systematic reviews involving thousands of participants have reported improvements in some measures of cognition following repetitive TMS. Studies focused specifically on Alzheimer’s disease have also found potential benefits in memory and cognitive performance.
However, results vary substantially across studies, and researchers have not yet established the optimal treatment targets, stimulation protocols, patient populations, or duration of benefit.
These applications are investigational. TMS is not FDA-cleared for the conditions described below. The effectiveness of these approaches has not been established, individual results cannot be predicted, and treatment for these indications is typically self-pay rather than covered by insurance.