What is the Neurostar TMS Therapy System?

The NeuroStar TMS Therapy® system is the first and only non-systemic and non-invasive TMS system for the treatment of depression. It was recently cleared (October 2008) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder in adult patients who have failed to achieve satisfactory improvement from prior antidepressant medication.*

This is a short demonstration video on TMS Therapy

Embed Embed this video on your site

The TMS Therapy device consists of:

• Treatment Coil - converts electrical currents into an MRI-strength magnetic field
• Display - touch screen which operates system
• Mobile Console - delivers electrical currents to treatment coil
• Treatment Chair - designed for patient comfort and optimal positioning

This non-invasive treatment for depression uses highly focused, pulsed magnetic field to stimulate function in targeted brain regions.

NeuroStar TMS Therapy is a 37-minute outpatient procedure that is available by prescription only and is performed under the supervision of a psychiatrist. It does not require anesthesia or sedation, and patients remain awake and alert during the procedure. Treatment is administered daily for four to six weeks (20-30 treatments).

* NeuroStar TMS Therapy® is indicated for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder in adult patients who have failed to achieve satisfactory improvement from one prior antidepressant medication at or above the minimal effective dose and duration in the current episode.

About TMS Therapy

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

TMS Therapy uses short pulses of magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the area of the brain thought to control mood. TMS Therapy is performed in a psychiatrist’s office under their supervision while you remain awake and alert.

NeuroStar TMS Therapy® is an outpatient procedure. The typical treatment course consists of 5 treatments per week over a 4-6 week period for 20-30 treatments. Each treatment session lasts approximately 37 minutes.

How TMS works

What is TMS?

TMS Therapy involves the use of very short repetitive pulses of magnetic energy to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. First used in 1985, TMS Therapy has been used by researchers around the world to help understand the function of different parts of the brain. Special sequences of repetitive TMS Therapy have been tested by Neuronetics to determine its safety and efficacy for the treatment of major depression. Neuronetics' pivotal trial is not the first to investigate the potential antidepressant effects of TMS Therapy. Early results from other trials have encouraged researchers to further investigate TMS Therapy as a treatment for major depression.

Figure 1 - Limbic Structures          

How TMS Therapy Works

The short pulses of magnetic energy produced by NeuroStar® TMS Therapy System are aimed by the treating clinician at the structures in the brain thought to control mood. (See Figure 1, Limbic System Structures, many of which are thought to be involved in mood regulation). The left prefrontal cortex (Figure 2) is used to access these structures non-invasively from outside the brain with TMS Therapy. The unique nature of magnetic fields allows them to pass through the skull and into the cortex without being distorted in any way. This facilitates a very focal type of stimulation, minimizing stimulation of brain tissue not involved in mood. 
 
 

Figure 2 - Treatment Site               

   
Once inside the brain, the dynamic (rapidly changing) nature of the magnetic pulses induces electrical charges to flow. The amount of electricity created in the brain is very small, and can not be felt by the patient. When in the correct orientation relative to brain cells (neurons), these very small electric charges can cause the neurons to fire or become active. (Figure 3) The objective of TMS Therapy is to stimulate (or activate) brain cells. Patients remain awake and alert during a TMS Therapy procedure.
 

Figure 3 - Neuron Diagram              

Brain Scans of depressed vs. non-depressed patients

Notice the hypoactivity of the brain regions in the depressed patient on the left