TMS therapy for depression uses an electromagnetic coil to deliver magnetic pulses through the skull into a brain network involved in regulating mood. It is an FDA-approved treatment for depression and has also been shown to be effective in a number of other conditions, including tinnitus ringing, clicking or other sounds in the ears and chronic pain.
During a session, patients sit with a helmet that delivers the stimulation through a series of pulses. Each pulse lasts a short time and is delivered to the left frontal cortex of the brain, an area associated with depression. The provider adjusts the frequency and duration of each pulse to find the best fit for each patient. Treatment sessions can last anywhere from a few minutes to half an hour. You may hear clicking sounds as the magnet turns on and off, but this is completely normal. There may also be pauses between each set of pulses to allow the magnet to cool down.
In the clinical trials that have evaluated TMS as a treatment for depression, most people who were able to experience significant improvement on the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale responded after just four weeks of daily treatments. Many of these individuals were able to achieve remission, which means their symptoms improved so significantly that they no longer meet criteria for depression.
Scientists have found that TMS works by rewiring neuronal circuits and altering activity in the brain networks that control mood. In particular, they think that it resets the way these networks communicate with each other. In one study, fMRI scans were used to see how different nodes in these networks communicated before and after TMS treatment. The findings showed that TMS changes the way these networks talk to each other, which restores more typical function and reduces the rumination and self-criticism that is characteristic of depression.
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation holds the potential to target specific dysfunctional neural circuits, which could lead to personalized treatment for depression. In fact, the recent studies of symptom cluster response to rTMS THREE-D and CARTBIND have found that specific symptom groups respond differently to treatment, which can be missed when sum scores are used to assess response to treatment.
If you’ve tried other depression medications without success, TMS therapy for depression may be an option. This treatment offers highly effective results with fewer side effects than many antidepressants. It’s an ideal alternative to medication for people who have tried and failed to respond to traditional antidepressants.
It’s important to note that, just like medications, TMS is not a cure for depression. Approximately 40% of those who receive it will experience a relapse within three months of finishing a course of treatment. But if you’re among the people who do find relief, TMS therapy can be very helpful in maintaining your recovery. It’s also a great complement to psychotherapy, which can help you change negative thought patterns and learn to manage your emotions better.