Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy – Depression
TMS is becoming very promising for treatment resistant depression. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is also used for treating schizophrenia in dealing with the auditory hallucinations. This therapy has also worked for certain forms of autism. As Recent as 2021 Standfor University has found TMS 80% effective in treating depression that some modifications to TMS could improve its effectiveness. Studies had suggested that a stronger dose, of 1,800 pulses per session instead of 600, would be more effective with 10 sessions per day, lasting 10 minutes . Mayo Clinic routinely uses TMS for both depression and OCD. Read more about TMS for depression.
TMS: A Primer
Dr. Denise Lin,
Advanced Psychiatric Care of Santa Barbara
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy is way of targeting specific areas of the brain with a strong, pulsed magnetic field to stimulate brain cells. Stimulating brain cells to treat psychiatric disorders is a growing area of research and clinical practice. Seven of the top ten academic centers that train new psychiatrists are now providing TMS and there are about 260 TMS centers across the US.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy what are the biological effects of TMS Therapy
When brain cells are stimulated, they release brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. These substances are important for mood and anxiety regulation. During TMS, an area about the size of a golf ball near the brain surface (the cortex) is directly stimulated by the magnetic field. In addition, there are circuits which connect the surface of the brain to deeper brain structures allowing activation of several other areas of the brain also. All these areas are involved in mood regulation.
TMS is FDA-approved for the treatment of adults with depression that have not responded adequately to antidepressant medication. The original research was done on people with medication-resistant depression that had not responded to between 1 and 23 different antidepressant medications. More than half of these people had a marked improvement and one-third had full remission of their depression symptoms with TMS. Considering how tough their cases of depression were, these numbers are quite impressive. Some TMS psychiatrists are using TMS off-label to treat people with anxiety disorders or bipolar depression. Pregnant or breast-feeding women with depression have also been treated successfully. There is some evidence that it can help migraine sufferers and people suffering from tinnitus also.
Can you use medications during TMS Therapy?
Yes. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy TMS is safe to use with or without antidepressant medications. This would be discussed ahead of time with your TMS psychiatrist. Some doctors might also recommend certain nutritional supplements to take during TMS Therapy.
How many treatments does TMS take?
A typical treatment course for depression is 20-30 treatments. Each treatment lasts about 40 minutes. The treatments are usually done daily, Monday through Friday for 4-6 weeks and are done in a comfortable office setting.
Does TMS require sedatives? Is there any downtime?
No sedatives are needed, and so you can drive, work, eat and do any of your normal activities before and after treatment sessions.
Does insurance cover TMS Therapy?
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy TMS has an official CPT code that insurance companies recognize. This makes it much more likely to be a covered procedure. If TMS is appropriate for you, your TMS psychiatrist and the Neuronetics Care Connection will work to provide your insurance company with the information it needs and if necessary, they will help you with the appeals process.