TMS Therapy & Treatment

TMS therapy & treatment has been researched for more than 30 years.  In the United States, TMS therapy was first approved by the FDA in 2008 for the treatment of major depressive disorder in adult patients who had tried medications with no satisfactory results. Since TMS therapy has proven to be effective for the majority of patients treated, researchers are now studying its effectiveness for many other psychiatric and neurological conditions.

rTMS is a series of repetitive, brief magnetic pulses that stimulate targeted neurons in the brain. These magnetic pulses induce an electrical current in the brain, which stimulates the targeted nerve cells, thus optimizing communication and restoring brain activity to normal levels with little to no side effects.

iTBS (SNT Protocol) is an evolution of TMS therapy that uses more frequent, lower intensity, stimulation 10 times/day for 5 consecutive days and has shown to produce a significantly higher rate of patient-reported remission of symptoms than Classic rTMS protocols. At Scenic City Neurotherapy, both Classic rTMS and iTBS (SNT protocol) have three ketamine infusion boosters built in to the treatment regimen to enhance global optimization and produce a more comprehensive, long lasting remission of symptoms.

repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation

The Magstim TMS Difference

Certified TMS Therapy Clinic

Patient outcomes are our number one priority. This is why we chose the most advanced FDA-approved rTMS therapy system that offers neuronavigation. Neuronavigation helps to ensure precise coil positioning with every patient treatment – thus enhancing optimal outcomes for a much-improved quality of life.

The Magstim name is at the forefront of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) from its conception as a widely used research tool to its revolution for treatment in the clinic setting.

Ketamine-Assisted SNT Protocol

At Scenic City Neurotherapy we wanted to provide the opportunity of remission for all patients suffering from treatment resistant depression. For some, attending daily treatment sessions for six weeks is just not possible for a variety of reasons, such as job, geographic location, or any other obstacle that may prevent someone from the ability to attend daily treatment sessions for several weeks.

Stanford has developed a protocol featuring intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS). It allows patients to receive treatment in as little as 10 minutes for a much shorter period – five days – instead of six to nine weeks. The SNT Protocol has a 90%+ rate of remission of depressive symptoms. While the SNT protocol requires multiple treatments in a day, the greatest benefit to Stanford’s protocol is the ability to achieve remission in as little as five days.

The SNT Protocol is not covered by insurance yet. However, at Scenic City Neurotherapy, the SNT Protocol is one of the most affordable TMS treatment options in the U.S. Why? Because our mission is to ensure access to novel treatments for people suffering from depression and to facilitate a better quality of life.

What to Expect with Classic rTMS Therapy

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS therapy) is a simple, non-invasive, non-drug, therapy that does not require downtime. Patients can immediately return to their normal activities of daily living.

A standard course of treatment consists of a total of 36 treatment sessions over a course of six weeks, with the last six rTMS treatment sessions titrated over a three-week period.

It is important to understand that rTMS is not a permanent cure for depression. However, rTMS does offer long-term symptom relief and remission for nearly 70% of patients. Maintenance treatments are recommended in order to maintain optimal benefits.

Painting the Picture of Major Depression

There are nearly 17 million adults in the United States alone that have experienced at least one major depressive episode in the past year. With the outbreak of COVID-19, the incidence of depression and anxiety has escalated. Although awareness is improving, it still has a long way to go.

Depression, also known as major depressive disorder or clinical depression (and often referred to as treatment resistant depression), is more than just a feeling of sadness. In fact, depression is a serious illness with multiple symptoms that can have a significant impact on both your mental and physical health.

Published by the American Psychiatric Association, the DSM-5 explains that a diagnosis of depression requires at least five (5) or more of the below symptoms in the same 2-week period. Symptoms include:

  • Depressed mood for the majority of the day
  • Loss of interest in usual activities
  • Significant weight change/change in appetite
  • The decline of the thought process
  • Lethargy/flagging physical activity
  • Constant fatigue
  • Lack of concentration/Indecisiveness
  • Suicidal ideation

Sadly, medications do not always help, and often cause other debilitating symptoms due to debilitating side effects. Long-term use of psychiatric medications can also cause undesired, permanent side effects, as well as horrible withdrawal symptoms when trying to titrate off of them.

When medications have been ineffective, or for those who do not wish to take medications, TMS can be a safe and effective alternative that offers long-term relief.

Advantages of rTMS/iTBS Therapy

There are many advantages to rTMS/iTBS therapy as a treatment option for depression without any other significant diagnoses. A few advantages of rTMS/iTBS with StimGuide include:

  • rTMS reports a patient remission of depressive symptoms of 70%.
  • iTBS (SNT Protocol) reports a greater than 90% rate of remission of depressive symptoms.

rTMS bypasses common side effects of antidepressants such as:

  • Insomnia
  • GI upset
  • Weight gain
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Foggy thoughts, concentration problems

TMS avoids the unpleasant side effects of ECT therapy such as:

  • Neck and body aches, muscle spasms
  • Memory loss
  • Cognitive Deficits, confusion, or psychosis

You can achieve long term relief in as little as five days without the shock or induction of a seizure like with ECT.

LEARN HOW WE CAN HELP YOU REGAIN YOUR DESIRED QUALITY OF LIFE.