Synchronized cervical VNS with accelerated theta burst TMS for treatment resistant depression - Brain Stimulation: Basic, Translational, and Clinical Research in Neuromodulation

Dr. Suzanne Kerns and colleagues examine the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) as a treatment approach for substance use disorders, reviewing the current evidence surrounding its effectiveness and clinical potential. The article explains how TMS, a noninvasive form of neuromodulation that targets specific brain regions involved in reward processing, craving, and impulse control, has gained increasing attention as researchers seek alternatives or adjuncts to traditional behavioral and pharmacologic treatments. The authors summarize findings from studies involving alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, methamphetamine, and opioid use disorders, noting that many investigations report reductions in craving and substance use, although results remain variable across populations and methodologies.

The review also discusses the limitations and future directions of TMS research in addiction medicine. The authors emphasize that differences in stimulation protocols, treatment duration, patient selection, and study design make it difficult to draw definitive conclusions about long-term efficacy. They highlight the need for larger randomized controlled trials and standardized treatment approaches to better understand which patients may benefit most from neuromodulation therapies. Overall, the article presents TMS as a promising but still developing area of research within behavioral health and addiction treatment.

To read the full article, click here.

Dr. Suzanne Kerns, MD, FCTMSS
Owner, Chief Medical Officer Inner Healing Charleston

Dr. Kerns is a board-certified psychiatrist and internationally recognized expert in the field of neuromodulation with over a decade of experience in neuromodulation and interventional psychiatry techniques, including TMS, ECT, and other forms of brain stimulation therapy. Former Director of the Neuromodulation Clinic at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, she is a Fellow and current Treasurer of the Clinical TMS Society. Dr. Kerns has trained clinicians globally and held academic appointments as an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Washington and the Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Kerns views every patient as unique, and strives to create individualized care plans using not just medications, but also psychotherapy, lifestyle modifications, and interventional treatments to support her patients in achieving their goals.