What is TMS?
TMS is a treatment approach of non-invasive brain stimulation. It is used in many neuropsy-chiatric diseases such as Depression, Post-trauma-tic Stress Disorder, Stroke, Neuropathic pain, etc. TMS will modulate the targeted brain area, resulting in the better brain function, which improves symptoms of that disease.
TMS for Depression
TMS has been shown the effective result in refractory depression for more than 10 years. It was USFDA approved since 2008 and right now it is growing worldwide. Currently, the regular treatment of Depression is antidepressants. However, not all the people have good response to them. Or even the depression symptoms may be better, but they must deal with the side effect of the medicine. TMS is an alternative or add-on treatment of depression, which has evidence to improve the symptoms with rare side effects.
How is the TMS therapy for Depression like?
TMS is the device, that connected between the generator and coil. The generator sends the signal to the coil, which delivers the magnetic field to the brain underneath the skull without any radiation or brain injury. TMS coil will apply just outside the skull, so the individual will feel only the tapping sensation, no pain. It does not need anesthesia like Electro Convulsive Therapy (ECT) or shock therapy in the past and no memory loss. Usually, it takes 20-40 minutes for each session, 5 days a week, which requires total 20-30 sessions for complete treatment.
Risk and side effect of TMS
The most serious risk of TMS is Seizure or Convulsion, however the risk is very rare, less than 1% and if seizures present, they are usually self-limiting. The other minor side effect is headache during or after the treatment.
In summary, TMS is an alternative treatment of refractory Depression, which has been proven effective and very rare side effect.
For more information, please call the Neurology Science Center at 1719 ext. 3750-1.
