Depression is a common mood disorder that affects the way you think and act. The first line of treatment is typically antidepressant medications, but those do not work for everyone.
When medication is not effective, doctors change your diagnosis to treatment-resistant depression. NeuroStar TMS therapy has a low side effect profile and a high rate of success for treatment-resistant depression.
Two types of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) are available, and each has advantages and disadvantages. Understanding the difference between TMS and dTMS can help you make treatment decisions that are best for your lifestyle.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive procedure that uses electromagnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in your brain. Primarily, TMS is used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in people who have treatment-resistant depression, depression-related anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
There are two types of TMS therapy. The first is repetitive TMS (rTMS) which is applied using a figure 8 magnetic coil near your forehead. The machine generates brief magnetic pulses that affect areas of your brain known to influence mood and mood disorders. The second is called deep TMS (dTMS) and is also used to treat depression, depression-related anxiety, and OCD.
Researchers have not yet identified the exact pathway TMS uses to create change, but they know the application of magnetic pulses using TMS increases the neuro activity and neuroconnectivity in areas responsible for depression.
This increased activity reduces or eliminates your symptoms and increases your quality of life without the secondary side effects commonly found with antidepressant medications. Drugs can affect all the cells in your body and cause side effects like hallucinations, digestive issues, difficulty urinating. TMS is directed at one area of the brain.
rTMS and dTMS share many characteristics. They both use a magnetic coil to deliver electromagnetic pulses into the brain. rTMS uses a figure 8 coil while dTMS uses an H1 coil. Both types of transcranial magnetic stimulation deliver magnetic pulses into the brain to activate neurons and reduce symptoms of depression.
Although both deliver magnetic pulses into the brain, they do not break the skin and are considered non-invasive procedures. The magnetic pulses normalize neural activity, which helps reduce the frequency and severity of mental health conditions.
There are key differences between rTMS and dTMS, the greatest of which is the depth at which magnetic impulses pass through the skull. rTMS primarily targets superficial regions of the brain, penetrating between two and three centimeters.
dTMS targets deeper areas of the brain, which increases the neural networks affected by the electromagnetic pulses. dTMS uses an H coil designed to stimulate larger areas of brain tissue. The treatment protocol will depend on your symptoms and health condition being treated. However, deep TMS is associated with a greater number of side effects and less flexibility or customization to your unique health condition. You and Dr. Deirmenjian can discuss which option might be best for you during your initial consultation.
rTMS and dTMS are generally well tolerated, but some people experience side effects including headaches, scalp discomfort, tingling, and lightheadedness. These usually resolve after the first week of treatment.
People with bipolar disorder may find TMS can induce mania. Other rare side effects include difficulty with concentration or memory in the first week or seizure activity in 0.01% of individuals that does not cause cognitive changes. This risk may be higher in people with seizure disorders.
The common side effects of dTMS are similar, including headaches, scalp discomfort, and tingling or twitching of facial muscles. These usually decrease over time. Rare side effects for dTMS are the same as those for rTMS, including, mania in people with bipolar disorder, temporary challenges with cognition, and a rare risk of seizure.
Treatment-resistant depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder are challenging and frustrating mental health conditions that can reduce your quality of life. We encourage you to call our office today and schedule your consultation to learn more about the difference between TMS and dTMS and how NeuroStar rTMS can improve your symptoms and quality of life with a lower risk of side effects.
Call (310) 246-9110