New Horizons of Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation in Clinical Medicine

Non-invasive brain stimulation is one of the most significant neurotechnologies that have arisen in the 21st century and are characterized by universal medical importance. This group of methods comprises repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial electric stimulation (transcranial direct current stimulation, tDCS). The spectrum of conditions potentially amenable to be effectively managed with these methods is constantly expanding and includes a variety of prevalent disorders of modern society, such as obesity, depression, etc. The low effectiveness of lifestyle modification, as well as a wide range of drugs side effects and high risks of surgical treatment determine the need to search for new safe methods of correction of eating behavior and obesity, becoming a real epidemic. Several data suggest the pathogenic role of changes in the frontal-striatal interactions in eating disorders. Taking into account the existing models of the development of food addiction, the main approach for rTMS and tDCS application is stimulation of areas involved in cognitive control, such as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Current data on studies of rTMS and tDCS in patients with impairment of eating behavior, as well as safety issues of using these techniques in routine clinical practice are reviewed.