Lake Worth Psychiatry offers Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), a noninvasive brain stimulation therapy that uses electromagnetic pulses to stimulate nerve cells in specific brain areas to improve symptoms of neurological or psychiatric disorders. TMS has been primarily used to treat depression, particularly in cases resistant to medication and therapy, and received FDA approval in 2008. Additionally, there is substantial evidence suggesting TMS may be beneficial for other conditions, including OCD, anxiety, and Parkinson’s disease.
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is a specific form of TMS that involves delivering repeated magnetic pulses. In an rTMS session, an electromagnetic coil is positioned against the scalp near the forehead. This coil painlessly delivers magnetic pulses that stimulate nerve cells in the part of the brain associated with mood and depression, aiming to activate brain regions with decreased activity in depression. While the precise mechanisms of rTMS are not fully understood, the stimulation is believed to modify brain function, potentially alleviating depression symptoms and enhancing mood. TMS sessions typically last about 15 minutes, with a usual course of treatment encompassing 36 sessions. The effectiveness of TMS in treating depression has shown promising results, with response rates ranging from 30 to 65 percent, especially among individuals who have not benefited from antidepressants.
TMS is utilized for the treatment of several conditions:
- Depression (FDA approved in 2008)
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (FDA approved in 2018)
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Stroke rehabilitation
- Parkinson’s disease
- Schizophrenia
TMS’s primary application has been in addressing Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), recommended for individuals who have not found relief through medication and psychotherapy, known as treatment-resistant depression. Approximately 30 percent of people with depression do not respond to conventional treatments. Depression is associated with reduced activity in the prefrontal cortex, which may account for common symptoms such as fatigue and appetite changes. TMS aims to stimulate nerve cells and increase activity in the prefrontal cortex to potentially counteract these symptoms.