Methods and devices for transcranial magnetic stimulation and cortical cartography

A computer program embodied on a computer readable medium for stimulating and/or inhibiting at least one point or area of a brain using at least one stimulation device, comprising:

• a) code that records a spatial structure of the head or brain;
• b) code that generates a three-dimensional simulation model of the surface of the brain from the recording of the spatial structure of the brain;
• and
• c) code that arranges the stimulation device relative to the head or brain using the three-dimensional simulation model of the surface of the brain, whereby the stimulation device is accurately positioned relative to the surface of the brain, wherein the stimulation device is positioned such that a magnetic field generated or generable by the stimulation device is normal to the simulation model of the surface of the brain on or over the area to be stimulated or exhibits a predetermined spatial angle relative to the simulation model of the surface of the brain.

A device for stimulating and/or inhibiting at least one point or area of a brain, comprising:

• a recording device for detecting the spatial structure of the brain;
• a computational device for generating a simulation model of the surface of the brain and at least one stimulation or induction device;
• and
• a navigation device for positioning the stimulation or induction device, wherein the navigation device is configured to use the simulation model of the surface of the brain to arrange the stimulation device relative to the brain such that a magnetic field generated or generable by the stimulation device is normal or arranged at a predetermined angle with respect to the simulation model of the surface of the brain on or over the area to be stimulated.

A device for determining the function of a particular area of the brain, comprising:

• at least one stimulation device;
• at least two stimulus detection devices;
• and
• a navigation device for positioning the stimulation device, wherein the navigation device is configured to use a simulation model of the surface of the brain to arrange the stimulation device relative to the brain such that a magnetic field generated or generable by the stimulation device is normal or arranged at a predetermined angle with respect to the simulation model of the surface of the brain on or over the area to be stimulated.