With Mayo Clinic psychiatrist Gabrielle J. Melin, M.D.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation involves the application of an electromagnetic coil to the brain; this creates electromagnetic pulses that result in an antidepressant effect. This is not a treatment that is widely available. It has not yet been approved by the FDA for the treatment of depression, so is still experimental.

Some clinical research trials are going on in the United States. TMS is used in patients with severe treatment-resistant depression. Pregnancy and having metal clips or other surgical metal in the brain are exclusions from receiving this treatment. Those at high risk for seizures are usually excluded as well.

An advantage to this treatment is that it does not require anesthesia like ECT does. Side effects are usually minimal and may include a tingling sensation at the treatment site or a headache. As the machine is quite loud, protective hearing equipment is supplied. Each treatment takes a couple of hours to administer and usually requires 5 treatments per week for up to six weeks. Therefore, this is a considerable time commitment.

You may contact your nearest tertiary medical center to see if a research trial is available. If it is available, they will screen potential patients. All research trials have inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Do any of you have experience with this experimental treatment?

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