How TMS Treatment Can Help Depression
When I sat down to speak with Dr. Sid Khurana about a treatment called TMS, I was a bit skeptical. Could there really be a treatment to help depression? Dr. Khurana says yes– and the results are impressive.
TMS, which stands for transcranial magnetic stimulation, is a procedure that treats symptoms of depression by using magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. We’ll get more into the specifics below. This isn’t the typical go-to for patients living with depression, but 100% of patients who began this treatment at Nevada Mental Health, for depression and other conditions, have completed it. “That does not happen with medication,” Dr. Khurana explains, adding that studies show about 30 to 40% of patients “drop out” with medication.
Depression can be debilitating and it’s only gotten worse since the COVID-pandemic. In 2023, a Gallup poll found 29% of U.S. adults had been diagnosed with depression at some point in their life.
How is TMS Different From Medication?
As Dr. Khurana explains, our brains are an electro-chemical organ. Think of electricity being the brain’s language: TMS uses magnetic fields to change the electricity in the brain so those nerves can “do their job well.” Medication, by contrast, targets the chemicals in your brain.
TMS Treatment for Depression
When a patient is struggling with depression, for example, those brain cells are not firing well. TMS gives those brain cells a stimulus, getting them to “fire together and fire well,” Dr. Khurana explains. The area of focus within the brain depends on which condition is being treated. Specifically for depression, this treatment would target the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). “This is one part of the brain that we think is connected to the deeper parts of the brain that controls our mood and anxiety,” Dr. Khurana said.
Because TMS is non-invasive, the treatment targets parts of the brain near the surface which are connected to those deeper centers that control mood, OCD, behaviors connected to smoking, etc. TMS is typically considered for patients when other treatment options have not been effective.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also approved TMS for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), migraines, and to help quit smoking. Research is currently being conducted to test its efficacy in other conditions, including lifelong conditions like OCD.
One college student recently received TMS treatment at Nevada Mental Health after suffering from severe OCD. She was unable to function and dropped the semester. Now, she has successfully completed treatment and is ready to return to class. “That is life changing for her,” Dr. Khurana said.
What is a TMS Treatment Like?
Treatment consists of 20 minute sessions daily for 5 to 6 weeks. For some patients, this yields the desired results. Others taper off or continue with maintenance, it depends on which condition is being treated and the patients’ response. “Generally we see 30 sessions gets patients in a very good spot,” Dr. Khurana said.
During treatment, a patient wears a helmet or an electromagnetic coil is placed against their scalp. The treatment does not require any surgery or injections. Patients wear earplugs and typically hear a “woodpecker” noise against their skull. Dr. Khurana says some patients initially describe treatment as a bit painful or annoying, or may have a headache afterwards. Those symptoms usually subside after the first couple of sessions. In a pediatric study, children who underwent TMS treatment described it as “not as fun as a birthday party, but more fun than a dentist visit,” Dr. Khurana explains.
Common Questions About TMS
TMS treatment for bipolar depression: TMS can also treat bipolar depression by targeting a different part of the brain.
TMS for depression and anxiety: TMS can also treat depression/anxiety.
Can TMS make depression worse? No, there is no data to support that.
Who is a good candidate for TMS? People suffering from all types of depression, OCD, bipolar disorder, and those trying to stop smoking.
Who can’t get TMS? TMS cannot be used in patients with metal in their head.
If you’re interested in learning if TMS is right for you, contact Nevada Mental Health. If you’re outside of the Nevada area, seek consultation with a clinic that offers the treatment.
