Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation rTMS is supported by numerous scientific societies worldwide as an effective approach for major depression. This service is covered by most insurance companies. The CHUM, the McGill University Health Centre, and the Quebec Mental Health University Institute offer it, but the waiting list is 8 to 12 months.
Neuroperforma, a leader in neuromodulation through neurofeedback, is pleased to announce that its repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) protocol will soon be available.
Sign up now for our waiting list to be notified when the cohort launches and get priority access to reserve your spot.
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation is a sophisticated neurotechnology that has been the subject of clinical research since 1985. In 2008, the Food and Drug Administration –FDA– approved it as a treatment for depression.
The last century has brought dazzling advances in the understanding of the brain and psychological health disorders.
At the beginning of the century, observation of depressive symptoms and their treatment using psychotherapy gave rise to psychotherapeutic types of treatments.
By mid-century, the discovery of the positive effects of certain drugs on mood gave rise to a view of biochemical imbalance in the brain as the cause of depression. Different drugs have been developed with the aims to improve brain activity of the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. But given that the drug acts on the entire brain, including aspects of that already function normally, many side effects are often associated with them, such as cognitive decline, sleep disturbances, weight gain and loss of libido.
With the dazzling advances in neuroscience, an in-depth understanding of the brain and its neuroelectrical functioning has developed. Depression is now known as a disruption of the electrical circuit of mood which includes several regions of the brain.
Within the mood circuit, more evolved regions which normally control emotions and thoughts (in blue on the image), lose their power to act, giving free reign to negative emotions and ruminations (in red on the image).
With the creation of sophisticated neurotechnologies such as rTMS, it is now possible to stimulate specific regions of the brain that lack vigor and power of action, without modifying healthy regions of the brain. rTMS, in addition to being effective, is almost free of side effects.
rTMS activates specific brain regions that controls emotions in order to stay on track in a positive and constructive way.
Generally, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), which plays a key role in mood regulation, is involved in depression when it is not functioning properly.
The result is heightened emotionality, negative thoughts that loop and feelings of helplessness and despair. We feel sad, irritable, inferior, anxious and often trapped in this state of unhappiness.
rTMS restores balance through the impulses it sends, stimulating neural activity and enhancing communication between different brain regions, thereby helping to alleviate depressive symptoms.
rTMS stimulates neural activity through the impulses it sends, thereby promoting communication between various regions of the brain and contributing to the improvement of depressive symptoms.
Over the past twenty years, numerous clinical studies have demonstrated the ability of TMS to reduce depressive symptoms in those for whom drug treatments have not had a positive effect. At least 60% of these people would see a reduction of their symptoms by at least 50%, and 30% of them would be considered non-depressed at the end of treatment.
TMS is very safe and has almost no side effects. The most common are localized discomfort during stimulation. Some people may also have headaches that may last for a few hours. Sometimes some people experience discomfort in the eyes, teeth or jaw which is relieved with painkillers. Rarely, anxiety or difficulty falling asleep may occur during the first treatments. rTMS may be considered by some to be noisy.
rTMS is normally well tolerated. Please note that people who wear a metallic or ferromagnetic item that cannot be removed and are brought within 30cm of the magnet may not be eligible for rTMS and should seek advice from the rTMS provider if they have one or other of these items:
- Implanted electrodes
- Stimulators
- Aneurysm clips
- Cochlear implants
- Metal fragment
- Epilepsy
- Add intracranial mass
We invite you to fill out the form to join our waiting list. As soon as the cohort is launched, you will be contacted.
This registration does not commit you to anything, but it will allow us to review your application and include you in the selection process.