NeuroStar TMS
Why Dr Zawadzki Chose to Add TMS to His Practice
It became quite evident in the early stages of my career that some patients just would not respond adequately to the antidepressants that they had tried. Others would feel a bit better, but would not respond to a degree that they would like. Still others would experience intolerable side effects
This led to some patients suffering from anxiety and depression with few other options that were simply not medication based. Promises of novel antidepressants have been exciting, but slow to come to fruition.
TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) offered an opportunity for these patients to be treated without the usual burdens of endless medication trials. TMS directed treatment straight at the source – an area of the brain known to be underactive in depression.
In most cases, TMS focuses a beam of magnetic energy at a part of the brain called the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPLC), forcing it to ‘wake up’ and begin functioning more normally once again. This is what helps the patients feel better. A series of treatments will focus this energy so that the brain re-learns how to activate normally, resulting in less depression and sensation of improved well-being.
Because there are no medications involved in TMS, it is particularly useful for those patients who have only a partial response to medications, or cannot take antidepressant medications for one reason or another.
Why Neurostar?
The original FDA approval trials for treatment-resistant depression were established on the Neurostar TMS machine. The Neurostar has demonstrated reliability and efficacy and is considered the “gold standard” in TMS treatment machines. For this reason, we use Neurostar in our practice.
While the exact cause of depression is not known, the leading scientific theory is that it is caused by an imbalance of the brain’s neurotransmitters, which are chemical messengers that send signals between brain cells.
What is NeuroStar Advanced Therapy (TMS)?
During a NeuroStar treatment session, a magnet similar in strength to that used in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine is used to stimulate nerve cells in the area of the brain thought to control mood. These magnetic pulses may have a positive effect on the brain’s neurotransmitter levels, making long-term remission possible.
Treatment with NeuroStar Advanced Therapy is easy:
- Therapy sessions are conducted in your NeuroStar doctor’s office
- You can return to normal activities right away
- You are awake during treatment
- There are no negative effects on memory or sleep
- It’s covered by most health insurance plans, including Medicare and Tricare
With more than three million treatments delivered, this novel treatment approach to achieving remission is bringing new hope to people every day.
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How NeuroStar TMS Therapy Works
Here’s what you can expect from a NeuroStar Advanced Therapy (TMS) session:
Before Treatment
You’ll recline comfortably in the treatment chair. A small, curved magnetic coil will be positioned lightly on your head.
During Treatment
NeuroStar delivers focused magnetic stimulation directly to the target areas of the brain. You’ll hear a clicking sound and feel a tapping sensation on your head.
After Treatment
NeuroStar Advanced Therapy: Depending on your doctor’s recommendation, each treatment takes between 19 and 37 minutes.
You can resume normal activities immediately.
Because there are no effects on alertness or memory, you can drive yourself to and from treatment sessions.
In-office treatment with NeuroStar TMS Therapy typically takes 19-37 minutes and is administered 5 days a week for approximately 4-6 weeks.*
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation?
Transcranial magnetic stimulation, often referred to as TMS is a noninvasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of depression. TMS is typically used when antidepressant medications haven’t been effective, have ceased working, or as an alternative to medication.
How does TMS work?
TMS involves delivering magnetic pulses to specific parts of the brain.
How long is TMS treatment?
A typical initial course of treatment is about 19-37 minutes daily over 4-6 weeks.
Is TMS Therapy covered by my insurance?
A vast majority of commercial and Medicare plans have recognized the effectiveness of treating depression with TMS Therapy and now cover TMS as part of their plans.
Is TMS Therapy a good alternative for patients who cannot tolerate the side effects of antidepressant medications?
TMS does not circulate in the blood throughout the body, so it does not have side effects like weight gain, sexual dysfunction, nausea, dry mouth, sedation, etc. The most common side effects reported during clinical trials were headache and scalp discomfort —generally mild to moderate—occurring less frequently after the first week of treatment.
Is TMS Therapy like other alternative therapies that use magnets to treat some illnesses?
No. TMS Therapy involves a unique method of using pulsed magnetic fields for a therapeutic benefit. The intensity of the magnetic field is similar to that of an MRI. These techniques differ radically from the popular use of low intensity, static magnetic fields. Those products deliver weak and undirected static fields that are not capable of activating brain cells. The activation and stimulation of brain cells is a key part of why TMS is so effective.
