Magnetic Stimulation Approved for Depression
A recent study has led to a new treatment for depression on the market. Estimated to cost between $6,000 and $10,000 from start to finish, depression sufferers are hoping it works. The Food and Drug Administration has only approved it for those who are found to be resistant to the standard treatment of antidepressants, which is nearly one in every five. What is this new treatment? It is called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and it is the first of its kind.
Although there are other brain stimulators for depression, TMS is the first noninvasive device that works by sending tiny electro-magnetic pulses through the head and skull, and into the brain. To find the correct spot, first the device is used on the top of the head to locate the motor-control area, and then moved 5 centimeters forward to the prefrontal cortex, where mood is altered.
Sessions last for about 40-minutes and are usually needed five times a week. Each minute of therapy includes 3,000 stimulating pulses. Although that sounds quite intense, the therapy is painless. Some people will need the depression treatment for a couple of weeks, and some will need to repeat it for up to six weeks, depending on the patient.
To gain approval from the FDA, the researchers from Neuronetics Inc. used their NeuroStar therapy on patients with depression and gave others a placebo therapy. The NeuroStar patients did mildly better than the patients not actually receiving the electro-magnetic pulses, without any reports of memory loss or seizures that can accompany shock therapy. Headaches were the only reported side effect. Twenty-four percent improved with NeuroStar therapy and only 12 percent improved without the therapy. This was enough for the FDA approval.
Since it was only a moderate difference, the National Institutes of Health are conducting a new study involving 260 patients, but results will not be ready until 2009. Regardless, the therapy is now available to depression sufferers.
Those who are used to the price of antidepressants will find this therapy quite expensive, though the chance for being symptom free is much higher than with prescribed medications. Those who have tried other invasive depression devices will find it way less expensive.
Other studies are in the works to test TMS for other brain disorders and stroke rehabilitation.
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Although there are other brain stimulators for depression, TMS is the first noninvasive device that works by sending tiny electro-magnetic pulses through the head and skull, and into the brain. To find the correct spot, first the device is used on the top of the head to locate the motor-control area, and then moved 5 centimeters forward to the prefrontal cortex, where mood is altered.
Sessions last for about 40-minutes and are usually needed five times a week. Each minute of therapy includes 3,000 stimulating pulses. Although that sounds quite intense, the therapy is painless. Some people will need the depression treatment for a couple of weeks, and some will need to repeat it for up to six weeks, depending on the patient.
To gain approval from the FDA, the researchers from Neuronetics Inc. used their NeuroStar therapy on patients with depression and gave others a placebo therapy. The NeuroStar patients did mildly better than the patients not actually receiving the electro-magnetic pulses, without any reports of memory loss or seizures that can accompany shock therapy. Headaches were the only reported side effect. Twenty-four percent improved with NeuroStar therapy and only 12 percent improved without the therapy. This was enough for the FDA approval.
Since it was only a moderate difference, the National Institutes of Health are conducting a new study involving 260 patients, but results will not be ready until 2009. Regardless, the therapy is now available to depression sufferers.
Those who are used to the price of antidepressants will find this therapy quite expensive, though the chance for being symptom free is much higher than with prescribed medications. Those who have tried other invasive depression devices will find it way less expensive.
Other studies are in the works to test TMS for other brain disorders and stroke rehabilitation.
Return to:
Filing for Disability Benefits with Social Security
Can you Own a Home and Qualify for Social Security Disability?
When you go to a Disability Hearing, will the Judge give you an Immediate Decision?
Contact Social Security About Your Disability Claim
What does social security mean by other work?
How does social security define your past work?
Labels: depression, magnetic stimulation, tms
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