TMS Therapy for Depression
Many patients with depression do not respond to medication. In the United States approximately 7.2 million individuals receive antidepressant treatment each year, but only 3.2 million (44%) receive adequate relief. Many individuals experience intolerable side effects when taking antidepressants or simply do not have a response.
TMS is a non-invasive, outpatient procedure which uses magnetic pulses to stimulate nerve cells in the portion of the brain believed to control mood. NeuroStar TMS Therapy® is indicated and FDA-cleared for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder in adult patients who have failed to achieve satisfactory improvement from one prior antidepressant medication at or above the minimal effective dose and duration in the current episode.
Fifty-percent of patients who receive TMS treatments experience a minimum of a 50% reduction in the symptoms accompanying depression. Thirty-three percent of patients who receive TMS treatments over a 6-week course of treatment enter full remission from their depression. These results are particularly exciting when compared to the fact that once a patient has tried two anti-depressant medications, the chances of a 3rd or 4th medication trial being effective is less than 12%.
TMS therapy is an outpatient procedure that takes place in our offices at Sacramento TMS. Patients are under supervision by one of our psychiatrists and remain completely awake and alert during the painless procedure. Treatment sessions last approximately 37 minutes. A treatment course for Major Depression consists of 5 treatments per week over a 4-6 week period (20-30 treatments). Patients can respond to treatment as early as two weeks.
Learn more about how TMS Works >
PBS NOVA ScienceNow
This PBS clip from the NOVA ScienceNow series explains the use of TMS for major depression. It also addresses exciting new TMS research including applications for pain management.
Watch the full episode. See more NOVA scienceNOW.