Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for the treatment of depression

 

People with severe depression might benefit from magnetic pulses to their brains as a medical treatment. This treatment can relieve migraine headaches and help stroke victims regain their motor skills.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation uses magnetpulses to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. This non-invasive, outpatient procedure is not invasive. It does not require hospitalization, surgery, or anesthesia. Research has shown that TMS therapy can reduce depression symptoms by up to half.

The Federal Drug Administration (FDA), has approved the treatment for adult patients who have failed to respond to antidepressant medication. TMS treatment is available from a handful of providers but it is not covered by most insurance policies.

What is the TMS treatment?

TMS therapy involves placing a coil on the forehead of the patient while they are lying down in a recliner. The coil transmits magnetic fields to the brain area responsible for mood regulation. Very small amounts of electricity are generated by magnetic fields. These currents can be used for brain stimulation and depression treatment.

Each session takes approximately 40 minutes. Patients are usually awake for the entire session. Patients receive five weekly treatments over six weeks. Clinical studies showed that scalp discomfort or pain was the most common adverse reaction. It can be mild to moderately severe.

Studies show that patients respond best when there are 40 consecutive magnetic pulses, each one delivered for four seconds. The doctor will determine the frequency and duration of each session based on the patient's response.

Lower relapse rates for depression

Recent research shows that severe depression sufferers who received TMS depression therapy were less likely than those who received medication or electroconvulsive treatment (ECT).

Research shows that 10% to 12% of patients who saw improvement following TMS treatment relapse. These results are starkly different from the 40% relapse rate in patients who experienced remission after TMS treatment. Similar to ECT patients, this rate is also similar.

These trials of TMS depression therapy were presented at the American Psychiatric Association annual meeting this spring. Patients who had failed antidepressant therapy previously were included in both studies.

A study found that patients receiving booster therapy reported significant improvement in their depression symptoms after just two weeks. Nearly 85% reported that they experienced some improvement in their depression after receiving booster doses.

The symposium also presented a third study that found that more than half of the participants saw a minimum 50% improvement in their depression after TMS therapy. This was significant improvement after they had only tried two antidepressant medications. 24% of those surveyed reported complete recovery from their depression. A small study found that booster treatments could be useful.