Repetitive transcranial stimulation (rTMS) paradigms have been used to induce lasting changes in brain activity and excitability. Previous methods of stimulation were long, often ineffective and produced short-lived and variable results. A new non-invasive brain stimulation technique was developed in John Rothwell’s laboratory in the early 2000s, which was named ‘theta burst stimulation’ (TBS). This used rTMS applied in burst patterns of newly acquired 50 Hz rTMS machines, which emulated long-term potentiation/depression-like effects in brain slices. This stimulation paradigm created long-lasting changes in brain excitability, using efficient, very rapid stimulation, which would affect behaviour, with the aim to influence neurological diseases in humans. We describe the development of this technique, including findings and limitations identified since then. We discuss how pitfalls facing TBS reflect those involving both older and newer, non-invasive stimulation techniques, with suggestions of how to overcome these, using personalised, ‘closed loop’ stimulation methods. The challenge in most non-invasive stimulation techniques remains in identifying their exact mechanisms of action in the context of neurological disease models. The development of TBS provides the backdrop for describing John’s contribution to the field, inspiring our own scientific endeavour thanks to his unconditional support, and unfailing kindness.

重复经颅刺激（rTMS）范式已被用来诱导大脑活动和兴奋性的持久变化。以前的刺激方法很长，通常无效，并且产生的结果短暂且变化多端。约翰·罗斯威尔（John Rothwell）的实验室在2000年代初期开发了一种新的非侵入性脑刺激技术，称为“θ爆裂刺激”（TBS）。这使用了rTMS应用于新购置的50 Hz rTMS机器的突发模式，该模式模拟了脑切片中的长期增强/抑制类效应。这种刺激范例使用有效，非常迅速的刺激，对大脑的兴奋性产生了持久的变化，这种变化会影响行为，从而影响人类的神经系统疾病。我们描述了这项技术的发展，包括此后发现的发现和局限性。我们讨论了TBS面临的陷阱如何反映涉及较旧和较新的非侵入式刺激技术的陷阱，并提出了使用个性化“闭环”刺激方法如何克服这些陷阱的建议。在大多数非侵入性刺激技术中，挑战仍然在于在神经疾病模型的背景下确定其确切的作用机制。TBS的发展为描述John在该领域的贡献提供了背景，这得益于他的无条件支持和不懈的友善，激发了我们自己的科学事业。在大多数非侵入性刺激技术中，挑战仍然在于在神经疾病模型的背景下确定其确切的作用机制。TBS的发展为描述John在该领域的贡献提供了背景，这得益于他的无条件支持和不懈的友善，激发了我们自己的科学事业。在大多数非侵入性刺激技术中，挑战仍然在于在神经疾病模型的背景下确定其确切的作用机制。TBS的发展为描述John在该领域的贡献提供了背景，这得益于他的无条件支持和不懈的友善，激发了我们自己的科学事业。