Frequently Asked Questions

What is TMS Therapy?

The FDA cleared TMS Therapy for patients suffering from depression who have not achieved satisfactory improvement from prior antidepressant treatments. TMS Therapy uses magnetic pulses that stimulate parts of the brain associated with depression and other brain disorders.

With depressed patients, parts of the frontal lobe of the brain are stimulated, resulting in a significant improvement in mood, drive, energy, and a sense of well-being.

Non-invasive treatment.

Smart Brain and Health offers a unique approach by combining functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) and Neuronavigation with stereotactic techniques to precisely target specific areas of the brain. This technique, offered exclusively at Smart Brain and Health, has demonstrated a higher percentage of positive patient responses to TMS Therapy.

How does TMS Therapy work?

Repetitive magnetic pulses non-invasively pass through the skull and into the cortex to stimulate nerve cells in the brain.
For example, the prefrontal cortex is one of the areas of the brain involved in the regulation of mood. Customized stimulation of this part of the cortex can be used to regulate the rate of the firing of neurons that were previously underactive or overactive. This results in neurochemical events being triggered to help normalize neurotransmitter function.

What are the benefits to TMS Therapy?

TMS Therapy is an alternative, non-invasive treatment for depression, without the side effects seen in other therapies such as ECT and antidepressants. The side effects seen in other therapies may include weight gain, sexual dysfunction, sedation, dry mouth, nausea, and memory loss.

How does Smart Brain and Health TMS Therapy differ from other TMS treatment centers worldwide?

Our certified staff combines the use of the functional MRI (fMRI), PET/CT, and Neuronavigation, performed all in one center, to accurately target the location of the brain for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy for ultimate success and durability.

How does Smart Brain and Health TMS Therapy differ from other TMS treatment centers worldwide?

What is a functional MRI (fMRI)?

fMRI is one of the most advanced techniques that show brain activity in real time. Smart Brain and Health fMRI technology utilizes patented imaging techniques and procedures which achieve positive TMS results for treating depression and other brain disorders – We “See the Thinking Brain™”

What is Neuronavigation?

Neuronavigation is a computer-based tool that is used in conjunction with fMRI images that enables our physicians to precisely target the location of the brain for TMS Therapy. With Neuronavigation precision, Smart Brain and Health has demonstrated a higher percentage of positive patient responses to TMS Therapy – GPS for the Brain™

Is TMS Therapy right for me?

The FDA has approved TMS Therapy for the treatment of a Major Depressive Disorder in adult patients who have failed to achieve satisfactory improvement from one prior anti-depressant medication; however, Smart Brain and Health continues to research other therapies with success. TMS therapy should not be used by patients with non-removable metallic devices in or around the head, such as pacemakers. Contact us to determine if TMS Therapy is right for you.

How long is a TMS treatment?

One TMS Therapy session lasts approximately 40 minutes. The standard course of treatment consists of five sessions per week over a four to six week period. Smart Brain and Health collaborates with your psychiatrist on a regular basis to ensure your treatments are personalized to your brain disorder, making adjustments if necessary.

Are there side effects to TMS Therapy?

During TMS Therapy, you may experience headaches as well as some scalp discomfort, which often improves after further treatments and can be remedied with an over-the-counter analgesic. At Smart Brain and Health, we will assure that you are as comfortable as possible.