Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: Magnets for Depression

About two million adults in the United States suffer from bipolar disorder, a form of depression characterized by extremely high and low mood cycles. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation or TMS, is a kind of magnet therapy that is being used to treat depression. Bipolar disorder's low mood cycles of depression can be treated with magnet therapy. TMS is a good way to treat a patient's depression and the effects of bipolar disorder.

In the case of Norma Neal of Charleston, South Carolina, it drove her to attempt suicide after the failure of countless medications and therapies left her feeling hopeless. Then she heard about Dr. Mark George of the Medical University of South Carolina and his experimental work treating depression using magnetic energy in a therapy called Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).

For the first time in her life, according to Norma, she feels as though life is worth living. Below are answers to questions Dr. George is frequently asked about TMS:

Q: What is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), and how does it help depression?

A: TMS activates certain parts of the brain by using electrical energy passed through a coil of wires to create a powerful magnetic field. During the procedure, energy from this magnetic field is transferred into a patient's brain by means of the coil device applied to the head. Unlike direct electrical energy, energy from the magnetic field passes through skin and skull, activating the brain painlessly and without surgery or sedation. We apply TMS to the front area of the brain, an area associated with mood regulation. Not unlike many anti-depressant medications, TMS affects brain functions and chemical activity, effectively "jump -starting" mood regulation structures in the brain, resulting in dramatic improvements in depressed patients.

Q: How long does the procedure take? Does it hurt?

A: TMS is a non-invasive procedure that is performed on awake, alert adults with generally no discomfort. The most successful TMS treatments for depression occur when patients undergo TMS every day for about 20 minutes for several weeks. Often, there is no noticeable mood change during the first week, but starting with week two, dramatic positive responses to treatment can be seen in this out-patient procedure.

Q: Will it disrupt other areas of brain functioning or change my personality?

A: One of the benefits of TMS is its accuracy. It allows practitioners to target very specific parts of the brain, leaving other areas alone. In fact, by getting rid of the depression, patients' ability to think and function actually improves. TMS patients report that they feel "themselves" again.

Q: Is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation a permanent cure for depression?

A: The effects of TMS on depression over time are currently being studied. Like other treatments for depression, such as medication and electro-convulsive therapy, once TMS is stopped, patients may or may not relapse back into depression. TMS has been shown to yield effective short-term results, but it's unclear how long the effects of TMS continue to work after initial treatment and improvement. Studies using TMS once a week as a maintenance procedure are in progress.

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Benefits & Risks of TMS

Q: How do I know if TMS is right for me?

A: Currently TMS is at the experimental stage and not generally available. However, if it does gain wider acceptance, likely TMS would be prescribed to people who are severely depressed or to people who were not successful with other treatments. This would need to be discussed with your doctor.

Q: What are the risks or side effects of TMS?

A: So far, TMS seems to be relatively side-effect free. Studies show that about one in five people will develop a mild headache after they receive TMS that goes away with aspirin or acetaminophen.

Q: Will my doctor believe this is a legitimate treatment for my depression?

A: TMS is still considered an experimental treatment for depression in the United States, and has not yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. However, with more trials being done throughout the world, the acceptance of TMS as a legitimate treatment for depression is increasing.

Q: Where can I get TMS? How expensive is it?

A: Since TMS as a treatment for depression is currently being studied, it is not available yet to the general public. TMS treatment in the United States is taking place only as part of clinical trials. Cost may be determined once the treatment reaches the market.