TMS Can Help Reset Depressed Brain Activity

Depression affects over 14 million American adults on any given year and advances in brain imaging techniques have demonstrated that depression is largely caused by nerve cell under-activity in the frontal region of the brain. TMS Therapy is an FDA-approved, non-invasive breakthrough for patients who have failed conventional treatments, psychotherapy, or ECT for depression. In multiple studies, TMS has been shown useful in other neuropsychiatric syndromes such as OCD, anxiety, and substance abuse. Depression symptoms may include the following:

• Depressed mood (hopelessness) or irritability
• Decreased interest or pleasure in daily activities
• Diminished ability to think or concentrate
• Feelings of worthlessness
• Restlessness, agitation, and slower than normal movements
• Fatigue or aches
• Insomnia or excessive sleeping
• Weight gain or loss of 5% of body weight within a month
• Crying spells
• Thoughts of death or suicide

At Smart Brain and Health, TMS Therapy is performed with the use of neuronavigation and uses MRI and Functional MRI information to both accurately target illness and track progress during treatment.

How does TMS work? TMS Therapy is a non-invasive, entirely safe, and painless treatment that focuses on specific areas of the brain (such as the frontal lobe region in depression patients) to activate neurons that are under-performing.

The only reported side effects of TMS are incidences of seizures in individuals who have a history of epilepsy. The initial treatment can sometimes be slightly uncomfortable due to the repetitive “pecking” sensation of pulses to the surface of the skin. This discomfort is significantly decreased with the application of topical anesthetic ointments and usually doesn’t last more than two treatments.

Smart Brain and Health has successfully treated hundreds of patients suffering from depression. Pre-treatment and post-treatment imaging allows both the patient and the physician to visualize the effect of TMS Therapy and “See the Thinking Brain™.” 

If you or someone you know is suffering from depression, please call Smart Brain and Health at 310-829-9788 and dial extension 2220 or simply send an e-mail to breablevins@micsc.com. Our office will follow up to answer any of your questions and help guide you to the most appropriate treatment. In order to better understand your depression and personalize your treatment for maximum effects, please have a full list of any medications you are taking for depression as well as any heart or blood-pressure related medications.