Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive technique which stimulates the brain through the scalp, using magnetic energy. An insulated coil generates brief magnetic pulses, which pass easily and painlessly through the skull and into the brain. This allows the TMS therapist to focus this energy specifically on areas of the brain understood to play a role in the regulation of mood and thereby improve symptoms of major depression. The pulses generated are of the same type and strength as those generated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines. When these pulses are administered in rapid succession, it is referred to as "repetitive TMS" or "rTMS", which has longer lasting effects on brain activity.
rTMS has been shown to be a safe and well-tolerated procedure that can be an effective treatment for patients with depression who have not benefitted from antidepressant medications or cannot tolerate antidepressant medications due to side-effects. A treatment course consists of daily sessions lasting approximately 45 minutes. Typically, gradual improvement is seen over four to six weeks of daily stimulation (20 to 30 sessions).
Because TMS is a treatment reserved for those who have not received benefit from antidepressant medications, your treating physician will need to provide detailed records of prior treatment, including specific doses and durations of antidepressant medication and also the type, number of sessions and outcomes of psychotherapy you may have received. Insurance authorizations typically require these details. before scheduling you for treatment, you must first be evaluated by one of our TMS psychiatrists to determine if rTMS would be safe and appropriate for you.
Patients must be referred for treatment by a physician
All referrals will be handled through the call center
phone-office iconPhone-Scheduling: 706-721-6597fax iconFax: 706-721-1459