TMS Activates Neurons
Science has shown that the cause of depression is linked to the lack of communication between the parts of the brain called the dorsal-lateral pre-frontal cortex (DLPFC) and the deeper anterior cingulate (AC). This lack of communication can be attributed to DLPFC not having neurotransmitters (like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine) that are properly activated or inhibited.
Gentleness of TMS
MS or repetitive TMS (rTMS) offers decisive advantages over other forms of therapy- it is non-invasive, has few to no side effects, is painless and safe. It is non-convulsive (not spasm inducing) and can be performed as an outpatient treatment. TMS does not require anesthesia/sedation and is designed specifically to stimulate certain brain regions. Overall the treatment is well tolerated by a majority of patients with depression.
Academic Citations
Here is what the best of the best say about TMS
Experimental depression treatment is nearly 80% effective in controlled study
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation was effective in treating major depression with minimal side effects reported. It offers clinicians a novel alternative for treatment of this disorder.
Researchers in the journal, Biological Psychiatry, in a double-blind multi-site study of 301 patients, concluded that TMS was effective as a novel treatment for major depression with minimal side effects.
Researchers in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology via meta-analysis found low-frequency TMS was promising treatment for Major Depression, as it provides clinically meaningful benefits that are comparable to those of standard antidepressants.
Overall, LF-rTMS has a few advantages. For example, it is associated with a significantly lower risk of seizure induction and may even have anti-epileptic properties (Fregni et al, 2006). Therefore, LF-rTMS would be preferred in subjects with risk factors for seizure or with substantial medical comorbidity. Furthermore, LF-rTMS is usually better tolerated than HF-rTMS (which produces a greater degree of local scalp discomfort during stimulation) (Loo et al, 2008), and could thus be potentially offered to a larger number of patients.
"Researchers from the Journal of Affective Disorder, conducted meta-analysis and found TMS an effective and well-tolerated treatment for elderly patients suffering from depression
The meta-analysis suggested that rTMS is an effective, well-tolerated treatment for patients with LLD. Future efforts should enhance study methodologies to improve their efficacy and increase the homogeneity of rTMS parameters to promote comparability between studies.
: For Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) patients with 2 or more antidepressant treatment failures, rTMS is a reasonable, effective consideration
Researchers from the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry graded the strength and validity of the Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD) from meta-analysis of studies from 1980-2013, and found that TMS treatment was reasonable and effective over sham (placebo) treatments and may be considered for patients with 2 or more anti-depressant medication treatments…” and add the citation in a very small font.
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