TMS Treatment for Depression
Clinical Depression
Clinical depression is different from the usual mood fluctuations and short-lived emotional responses to challenges in everyday life. Particularly when long-lasting with moderate to severe intensity.
Severe depression is a serious health condition, and at its worst, can lead to suicide. At any given time 1 in 10 people live with clinical depression and anxiety.
Current research suggests that when small electrical currents are induced in the prefrontal cortex of the brain, there is an increase in blood flow and glucose metabolism, leading to increased neuron activity which elevates mood and executive functions of the pre-frontal cortex.
The rTMS stimulation in the left pre-frontal cortex that regulates mood activates brain cells via an excitatory pattern and this triggers a cascade of neurochemical events, including the release of neurotransmitters (serotonin and dopamine) to normalise neurotransmitter function.
Whо gеtѕ clinical dерrеѕѕiоn?
About 5 in 100 adults hаvе severe depression every уеаr. Sometimes it iѕ mild or lasts just an fеw weeks. Hоwеvеr, аn ерiѕоdе оf depression serious enough to require treatment occurs in about 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men at ѕоmе point in their lives.
Sоmе реорlе have two оr mоrе episodes оf depression at various times in their lives.
What are the symptoms of depression?
Mаnу people know when they have depression. Hоwеvеr, ѕоmе people do not rеаliѕе when they are depressed. Thеу mау know that they are nоt right and аrе not functioning well but don’t know why. Some реорlе think that they hаvе a рhуѕiсаl illness – fоr еxаmрlе if they lоѕе weight.
- Difficulty concentrating & decision making
- Fatigue and decreased energy
- Feelings of guilt & worthlessness
- Feelings of pessimism
- Insomnia
- Irritability, restlessness & anxiety
- Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable
TMS Treatment for Clinical Depression
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) works for depression by modulating the activity of neural circuits in the brain, particularly those involved in mood regulation. Here’s a simplified explanation of how TMS exerts its therapeutic effects:
Stimulation of Neural Circuits: During a TMS session, an electromagnetic coil is placed against the scalp, typically near the forehead. The coil generates magnetic pulses that pass through the skull and into the brain.
Neuroplasticity: The repetitive magnetic stimulation delivered during TMS sessions can lead to changes in neural activity and connectivity, a phenomenon known as neuroplasticity. This process involves the brain’s ability to reorganise and form new neural connections, which helps restore normal functioning in areas affected by depression.
Neurotransmitter Regulation: TMS may also influence the release and activity of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which play crucial roles in mood regulation. By modulating neural activity, TMS may help rebalance neurotransmitter levels, alleviating depressive symptoms.
Long-Term Effects: The cumulative effects of repeated TMS sessions over several weeks can lead to sustained improvements in depressive symptoms. These long-term effects may result from the gradual changes in neural circuitry and neurotransmitter function induced by TMS.
Benefits of TMS Treatment for Severe Depression
TMS has been recognised as a beneficial treatment for depression, offering several advantages over traditional approaches. Here are some of the key benefits of TMS treatment for depression:
1. Non-invasive: TMS is a non-invasive procedure, meaning it does not require surgery or anaesthesia. This makes it a safer option compared to other brain stimulation techniques, such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
2. No Systemic Side Effects: Unlike antidepressant medications, which can cause side effects such as weight gain, sexual dysfunction, and nausea, TMS is not associated with systemic side effects. Most side effects of TMS are mild and limited to the site of stimulation, such as headache or scalp discomfort.
3. High Success Rates: TMS is effective in treating depression, particularly in individuals who have not responded to antidepressant medications. Many clinical studies have demonstrated significant improvement in depressive symptoms following TMS treatment.
4. Reduced Relapse Rates: Studies have suggested that TMS may help reduce the risk of relapse in individuals with depression. By strengthening neural connections in the brain associated with mood regulation, TMS can help maintain the treatment response over time.
5. Personalised Treatment: TMS treatment can be tailored to each individual’s needs, including the frequency and intensity of stimulation. This personalised approach allows us to optimise treatment outcomes for each patient.
Check Your Eligibility
In general, TMS therapy for depression operates by focusing on particular brain areas implicated in the condition and adjusting neural activity to relieve symptoms. Though the reaction to TMS can differ from person to person, numerous individuals with depression notice notable enhancements in symptoms and overall well-being through this non-invasive therapeutic method.
You can begin your eligibility process by adhering to our three-step treatment method.
Evidence Based Treatment
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for depression. NICE Guidelines Publication
Evidence supports the safety of using repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) for depression, presenting minimal risks. Its effectiveness in managing depressive disorders is recognized, though the extent of clinical outcomes varies. The use of rTMS in treating depression fits well within conventional clinical governance and audit standards. Additionally, rTMS has shown promising results in handling major depressive episodes. Published 2015 Source.
FDA permits the marketing of transcranial magnetic stimulation for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) uses magnetic fields to stimulate neuronal cells in the cerebral cortex. In 2008, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved TMS for marketing as a treatment for major depressive disorder. This approval was expanded in 2013 to include the use of TMS in managing pain associated with certain types of migraine headaches. Published 2008 Source.
A systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy and acceptability of bilateral repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for treating major depression
Bilateral rTMS emerges as a powerful treatment alternative for Major Depression (MD), offering clinical advantages that are comparable to or exceed those provided by traditional antidepressants and unilateral rTMS. Additionally, it is becoming known as a therapy that is well-received by patients with depression, highlighting its effectiveness as a treatment approach. Published 2012 Source.
Efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) adjunctive therapy for major depressive disorder (MDD) after two antidepressant treatment failures: meta-analysis of randomised sham-controlled trials.
rTMS shows a considerable advantage over placebo rTMS in eliciting response and remission in Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD), indicating its value as a supplementary treatment for individuals with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) who have not benefited from at least two previous treatments. This finding is consistent with earlier meta-analyses, though the effect size noted is slightly smaller than that documented in previous research. This underscores the therapeutic promise of rTMS in addressing TRD. Published 2023 Source.
Accelerated Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Treat Major Depression: The Past, Present, and Future
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is recognised as an effective therapy for treatment-resistant major depressive disorder, traditionally involving 20–30 sessions spread over 4–6 weeks. Accelerating rTMS by conducting multiple sessions per day shortens the treatment duration, potentially hastens the antidepressant effects, and improves clinical efficiency without significant adverse effects. Despite variations in study designs and stimulation protocols, consensus among experienced researchers supports the comparability of accelerated rTMS’s antidepressant efficacy to traditional rTMS methods. The article discusses the evolution from initial rTMS applications to the present use of efficient theta burst stimulation and proposes future directions for optimising treatment through personalised protocols based on neuroimaging and electrophysiological biomarkers. Current evidence suggests that high-dose pulse and multiple daily treatments could enhance therapeutic outcomes. Published 2023 Source.
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