A brief history of TMS

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) was first introduced in 1985 by Dr. Anthony Barker and his team in Sheffield, England. Originally developed as a non-invasive tool to stimulate the motor cortex, the technology used brief magnetic pulses to induce electric currents in the brain, enabling researchers to explore the functioning of specific neural circuits. Early applications were primarily diagnostic, helping neurologists map motor pathways and assess brain connectivity.

By the late 1990s and early 2000s, researchers began exploring the therapeutic potential of TMS. Studies showed that repeated sessions of stimulation (rTMS) could modulate neural activity in ways that might alleviate symptoms of depression, particularly in patients who had not responded to medication. In 2008, the FDA cleared the first TMS device for treatment-resistant depression, marking a major milestone that helped bring TMS into clinical psychiatry.

Since then, TMS has gained widespread recognition as a safe, effective, and well-tolerated treatment for a growing number of conditions. Multiple studies and real-world outcomes have demonstrated its efficacy in depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and smoking cessation, with ongoing research into anxiety, PTSD, chronic pain, and neurodegenerative disorders. The field has also seen advances in precision targeting, stimulation protocols, and device portability.

Despite its promise, adoption of TMS remained limited for years due to high equipment costs, complexity of use, and the logistical burden of multi-week treatment regimens. Clinics struggled with long appointment schedules, and patients were often deterred by the need for daily visits over several weeks—limiting access to the very populations who might benefit most.

Now, a new wave of innovation is transforming TMS. Emerging technologies are making it easier than ever to deliver brain stimulation that’s faster, more scalable, and accessible to more people. At Ampa, we’re proud to be at the forefront of this next chapter in TMS — expanding its reach and reimagining what’s possible in mental health care.