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About Brainsway TMS Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder
Introduction to BrainsWay Treatment
- BrainsWay treatment has been shown to be safe and effective in the treatment of patients with Major Depressive Disorder.
- TMS Therapy is a non-systemic (does not circulate in the bloodstream throughout the body) and non-invasive (does not involve surgery) form of neuromodulation, which stimulates nerve cells in an area of the brain that is linked to depression, by delivering highly focused MRI-strength magnetic pulses.
- Patients being treated by TMS Therapy do not require anesthesia or sedation and remain awake and alert.
- It is a 20-30 minute outpatient procedure that is prescribed by a psychiatrist and performed in a psychiatrist’s office.
- The treatment sessions include daily treatments for a period of 4 weeks.
- Each treatment session lasts approximately 20-30 minutes. Your doctor may consider further biweekly maintenance treatments in order to continue treating your depression.
What happens during TMS Therapy?
- BrainsWay. is a non-invasive procedure, involving stimulation of a part of the brain called the Left Prefrontal Cortex. The stimulation activates the nerve cells in this region of the brain and improves depressive symptoms. The stimulation is produced by a treatment "coil" contained in a helmet. During the treatment, the helmet is gently positioned on the left front side of your head, over this region of the brain.
- Short pulses of electricity sent through the treatment coil generate magnetic fields that turn on and off very rapidly. These magnetic fields are similar to those used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems. The magnetic field goes through the head and induces a weak electrical current that briefly activates the nerve cells in this region of the brain and improves depressive symptoms.
When should BrainsWay treatment be used?
- BrainsWay is indicated for the treatment of depressive episodes in adult patients suffering from Major Depressive Disorder who failed to achieve satisfactory improvement from previous anti-depressant medication treatment in the current episode.
When should BrainsWay treatment not be used?
- BrainsWay treatment delivers a magnetic field that could cause any metal objects that are near the device to move or to get hot. The treatment should not be used if you have metal implants in or around your head (except for standard amalgram dental fillings)
How effective is BrainsWay?
- In real-life clinical settings, the treatment was proven to be effective for 3 out of 4 patients, with a 51% remission rate and 75% response rate.
Is TMS therapy a good alternative for patients who are fearful of the side effects associated with antidepressant medications?
- TMS Therapy has been cleared by the U.S. FDA for the treatment of patients with depression who have failed to achieve satisfactory improvement from prior antidepressant treatment.
- TMS Therapy is non-systemic, so it doesn’t have side effects such as weight gain, sexual dysfunction, nausea, dry mouth, sedation, etc.
- Like any treatment option, patients and clinicians should work together to find the most appropriate treatment option for each patient.
Does TMS therapy cause memory loss?
- No, tests of memory function during treatment showed no change during the clinical trial.
