Depression is a common yet complex mental health condition that can have devastating consequences if left untreated. The most common treatment options for depression are antidepressant medications and talk therapy. However, these methods are not effective for everyone.
If you have taken at least one antidepressant without significant improvement, you might have treatment-resistant depression. We want you to know there is hope.
NeuroStar Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy is a safe, effective depression treatment without the common side effects of medication. Call Synergy Strive today to schedule a consultation and learn about the science behind TMS and depression and how this treatment may help reduce your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), commonly referred to as depression, affects millions of people worldwide every year. Symptoms often include persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, fatigue, and feelings of worthlessness. This condition can disrupt daily life, strain relationships, and significantly impact overall well-being.
Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, affecting up to 5% of all adults. Structural and functional changes in the hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex regions of the brain play a critical role in the condition.
If you have treatment-resistant depression, TMS therapy may help by directly targeting the neural circuits involved in the mood disorder, offering science-backed hope for potential relief.
TMS is based on the principle of electromagnetic induction, which Michael Faraday first discovered in the 1800s. By generating a magnetic field, TMS induces an electric current in nearby conductive tissue, delivering targeted pulses to specific areas of the brain without requiring an invasive procedure.
The TMS device consists of a magnetic coil connected to a stimulator, which generates focused magnetic pulses. The coil is positioned near the head to target the prefrontal cortex, a brain region that is typically underactive in people with depression.
Clinical studies on depression have proven that by stimulating the prefrontal cortex, TMS activates neural pathways associated with mood regulation. This increased activity helps alleviate the core symptoms of depression. Additionally, TMS enhances neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to form and reorganize synaptic connections. Improved neuroplasticity strengthens communication pathways within the brain, leading to better mood and emotional regulation.
A NeuroStar TMS session typically lasts between 20 and 30 minutes. During the procedure, you remain awake and seated in a comfortable chair while a trained technician positions the magnetic coil. A computer regulates the intensity and direction of the magnetic pulses. Sessions are usually conducted five days a week for seven weeks. The science-backed, non-invasive, and well-tolerated approach offers a promising alternative for people with treatment-resistant depression.
Neuroplasticity is the brain’s remarkable ability to adapt to external stimuli by forming new connections and reorganizing existing pathways. This adaptability enables learning, memory formation, and recovery from injury. In the context of depression, neuroplasticity is essential for repairing impaired communication between critical brain regions.
Depression is often linked to disrupted neural connectivity, which neuroplasticity can help restore. TMS improves neurotransmission by stimulating specific neural pathways, particularly in the prefrontal cortex. Through targeted magnetic pulses, TMS induces electrical currents in the brain that activate neurons and increase their firing frequency. Increasing this activity strengthens existing synaptic connections and encourages the formation of new ones.
TMS helps repair disrupted brain circuits associated with depression. Research demonstrates that TMS effectively enhances connectivity between different brain regions. Scientific studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging have shown that TMS improves communication between the prefrontal cortex and deeper brain structures, and this improved connectivity is linked to a significant reduction in depression symptoms, even in cases of treatment-resistant depression.
TMS offers a promising approach to therapy, but like nearly all medical treatments, it comes with certain challenges. A full treatment cycle typically requires seven weeks of sessions held five days a week. This intensive schedule can significantly impact your daily routine and can be expensive if your insurance plan does not offer coverage.
Ongoing research is exploring the broader application of the science behind TMS,
Depression is a challenging mental health condition that does not always respond to antidepressant medications. If you are interested in pursuing a non-invasive treatment option for depression, call our office and schedule a consultation.
We can answer your questions about the science behind TMS and depression and explore whether NeuroStar is the right option for you.
