Deep TMS H7 Coil: Features, Applications & Future

Abstract

Introduction: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) uses magnetic pulses to induce electrical current in the underlying neuronal tissue. A variety of TMS coils exist on the market, differing primarily in configuration, orientation, and flexibility of the wire windings of the coil. Deep TMS^TM utilizes H-Coils, flexible coils with different configurations for stimulating different brain regions implicated in different neuropsychiatric disorders. The H7 Coil, designed to target primarily the medial prefrontal cortex and the anterior cingulate cortex, is FDA-cleared for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It was chosen as the focus of this review since it recently showed promise in various neuropsychiatric populations in addition to growing understanding of its mechanism of action (MOA).

Areas covered: Here we assembled all peer-reviewed publications on the H7 Coil to showcase its efficacy in: (a) various OCD patient populations (e.g., different degrees of symptom severity, treatment resistance, comorbidities) (b) other neuropsychiatric populations (e.g., addiction, major depressive disorder and autism spectrum disorder).

Expert opinion: While substantial evidence pertaining to the H7 Coil's efficacy as well as its MOA has accumulated, much work remains. In the final section of this review, we highlight areas of ongoing and future research that will further elucidate the coil's MOA as well as its full efficacy potential.

Keywords: ACC; Addiction; BrainsWay; Deep TMS; H7-coil; OCD; mPFC; neuromodulation; rTMS.