TMS stands for transcranial magnetic stimulation. This procedure uses electromagnetic fields to address the symptoms of major depression directly at the source within the brain. NeuroStar TMS therapy is considered a non-invasive treatment because the skin is not cut.
TMS was cleared by the FDA in 2008 and has been so effective that researchers are investigating its use in other brain-related conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and borderline personality disorder.
Thus far, it has been cleared as a treatment for depression and depression-related anxiety, and as an adjunctive therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Before undergoing treatments, it’s important to understand the safety and side effects of TMS therapy so you can make an informed decision.
The biology and neurological pathways that lead to the results of TMS therapy are not completely understood. However, it appears that stimulating certain areas of the brain that are responsible for mood disorders can help improve symptoms.
Imaging studies have demonstrated these areas are less active in people with depression than they are in people without depression. Using electromagnetic pulses, these neurological circuits are stimulated into greater activity, which scientists believe is one way TMS therapy works.
NeuroStar TMS therapy has undergone rigorous scientific study to evaluate its effectiveness and side effects. Less than 5 percent of the people in clinical trials stopped treatment because of side effects. The most common side effects of NeuroStar TMS therapy reported are temporary pain or discomfort near the treatment site.
Some people reported eye pain, muscle twitches, facial pain, and toothache. Clinical research has also demonstrated that there is a rare risk of seizure activity that occurs, but it does not have any lasting effects.
These side effects may not be comfortable, but they are far less problematic than the side effects associated with other forms of treatment used in depression. For example, the first-line treatment options for depression are antidepressant medications.
Medications have a systemic effect, meaning they affect all the cells in your body, as compared to the localized effect that TMS therapy has on the area of the brain that causes mood disorders.
Side effects associated with antidepressant medications include:
The majority of people who take antidepressants are not helped by the first drug, and the likelihood of being helped by any subsequent medications falls dramatically. Added to this, many of the antidepressant medications can increase the risk of suicidal ideation, the very symptom they hope to treat.
Another form of treatment for depression in individuals who have not received any relief from antidepressants is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), otherwise known as shock therapy.
ECT requires general anesthesia, which also has potential side effects and complications. The most common side effects of ECT are headache, nausea, confusion, and memory loss. Other medical complications can occur, including an increase in heart rate and blood pressure and serious heart problems for individuals who have underlying heart conditions.
While NeuroStar TMS therapy is safe for many people, it is not right for all people. There is a rare risk of a seizure during the treatment session, so people with a known seizure disorder should not undergo NeuroStar TMS therapy treatment.
TMS uses electromagnetic pulses. People with magnetic or metal implants, such as a cochlear implant, pacemaker, or bullet fragments, should not receive NeuroStar TMS treatment. Individuals with tattoos that use ferromagnetic ink should also not undergo the treatment.
During a NeuroStar TMS therapy treatment at Pinnacle Behavioral Healthcare, you are seated in a comfortable chair that looks like the one you see at your dentist’s office. The treatment begins with a cushioned coil placed against your head. Your physician determines the location, so the pulses reach the targeted area of your brain.
The coil delivers magnetic pulses to the brain using precise measurements to achieve the correct depth and intensity. NeuroStar TMS therapy does not require sedation or anesthesia, so you can resume your daily activities as soon as the treatment is over.
During the treatment, some people experience a tapping, tingling, or warming sensation against the head where the coil is placed. The sensations are typically temporary; most people do not experience them by the second week of treatment. NeuroStar TMS therapy requires treatment five days a week for approximately seven weeks to complete a full treatment cycle.
If you have symptoms of depression that antidepressant medications or other treatments have not helped, there is hope. We encourage you to call our office to schedule a consultation to discuss NeuroStar TMS treatment—including the safety and side effects of TMS therapy—so that you can make an informed decision about your care.
