How does Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Work for Depression

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive treatment option used as a brain stimulation therapy. In this treatment, the health professional uses a transcranial magnetic stimulation device to generate electromagnetic pulses that help stimulate nerve cells.

TMS is a widely recommended option for depression. People who don?t get any benefit from antidepressant medication and psychotherapy can confidently go with this treatment option. TMS was FDA cleared in 2008 for the treatment of depression.

Further, when patients receive the treatment, they get short, quick, and repeated bursts of magnetic stimulation. Medical professionals monitor the pluses of the parts of the brain responsible for emotional regulation.  

Moreover, this blog will help you learn how TMS works for depression. So, keep reading to learn more.??

More about TMS treatment for depression

If you visit a doctor for TMS to treat depression; the health professional targets the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, a part of the human brain. This brain part takes care of several cognitive functions such as memory, mood regulation, and conflict management.

Further, if you are suffering from depression, it is often dysregulated. Due to dysregulation, it becomes challenging to control your emotions, decision-making, and clear thinking.

Many researchers talk about stimulation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex through magnetic pulses. The stimulation process can affect the way nerve cells are fired. Finally, it can ease symptoms of depression.

Further, when stimulation is performed on the left and right sides of the brain, it will have different impacts. Many researchers find it helpful to stimulate the right side through low frequency to help patients alleviate depression compared to stimulation with a higher frequency on the left side. After all, most people experience good results with TMS. 

If we talk about a 2018 review, people up to 50% responded to TMS 12 months after their initial treatment.

After all, if you want to receive this treatment from a professional, you will have to visit a doctor who uses the best transcranial magnetic stimulation device during the treatment.

How does TMS therapy work?

In order to receieve TMS therapy for depression, you should consult a health professional. This comes under the outpatient procedure, meaning it can be done in a medical clinic. If you need to visit a hospital, it won?t take more time.

After all, before the process gets started, you must ensure that you have nothing sensitive to magnets, such as jewelry.

  • You will need to wear earplugs to minimize the sound of magnetic impulses. You will have a comfortable chair. You will be mentally available throughout the treatment.
  • If you take the treatment for the first time, the technician will measure your head for the correct placement of the magnetic coil.
  • The magnetic coil will be located above the front of your brain.
  • After all these things, the treatment gets started.
  • Throughout the treatment, a clicking sound will come.
  • The treatment session can go up to 30 minutes.

Who can?t go for TMS?

If you have the following implants in your head, you should not go for TMS.

  • If you have facial tattoos with magnetic ink
  • Metallic eye or ear implants
  • In case of bullet or shrapnel fragments
  • Aneurysm clips or coils
  • Deep brain stimulators
  • Electrodes
  • Stents

But if you have braces and fillings, you can receive TMS treatment from a professional.

In addition, if you have certain risk factors, you should still avoid TMS. Below are some risk factors to consider:

  • Epilepsy
  • A history of seizures
  • Excessive alcohol consumption
  • History of severe head trauma
  • Brain tumors
  • Stroke
  • Eating disorders
  • Cocaine and ecstasy use

Necessary treatment schedule and details for TMS

When it comes to having TMS for depression, there are usually five daily treatments for 3-6 weeks. A health professional can offer 20-30 sessions based on a treatment course.

Further, when the treatment starts, they first provide high-frequency TMS at about 10 Hertz, generating over 3000 pulses in around 37 minutes. However, the session duration may not always be the same.

Based on the number of pulses, many people consider going with TMS as repetitive TMS (rTMS).

Final Word

This is what you need to know about transcranial magnetic stimulation. Kindly read the full blog to learn more.

Almagia International has the best TMS devices that work for depression, for example, ALMAG-03 (DIAMAG). In order to buy a transcranial magnetic stimulation device, visit the official website.