HEALTHY LIVING


New Hope for Treating Depression


Magnetic stimulation delivers pulses that stimulate brain nerve cells. ::


BY FRANCES CHAMBERLAIN F


or people trapped in unrelenting, treatment- resistant depression, life can feel hopeless.


After trying multiple medications, counseling, and talk therapy without success, many patients are now finding new hope in a relatively recent procedure called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Limore Maron, M.D., a


Connecticut-based psychiatrist, often recommends TMS for patients who do not respond to antidepressants. “About 30% of patients respond to


these drugs,” she explains. “But after two failed antidepressant trials, I’ve seen a more robust response from TMS. I’m a big believer.”


WHAT IS TMS? Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a noninvasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain regions involved in mood regulation. To qualify, patients need a


referral from a psychiatrist. However, those with certain


medical conditions — such as seizure disorders, brain injuries, frequent severe headaches, or those with a pacemaker — may not be eligible. Some medications


and mental health conditions, including


96 NEWSMAX MAXLIFE | JANUARY 2026


bipolar disorder or psychosis, can also be contraindications. Once a referral is made, the


treatment is typically administered by a psychiatric nurse. Stacey Nemchick, a registered


nurse with Hartford Hospital’s Institute of Living and the Center for Interventional Psychiatry, explains that at her facility, “the psychiatrist sets up the procedure. “On the first day, the doctor


does mappings and wants to see the right thumb or hand twitch. We go through an algorithm and coordinate, so the chair is positioned the same way each time.” A magnetic coil is placed


against a patient’s head to deliver pulses that stimulate brain nerve cells. Many patients begin to feel improvement within a few sessions, though the full course involves one treatment a day for about 36 weeks. Common side effects include


mild headache or scalp discomfort during the first week. Some people may also experience tingling, facial muscle twitching, or lightheadedness.


SUCCESS RATES


Nemchick says outcomes are encouraging. “The success rate is 83%, and 50% see a total


remission of depression,” she reports. TMS is primarily used to treat


depression and is covered by many insurance plans, including Medicare. It has also been FDA-approved for


obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), migraines, and smoking cessation, though coverage for these conditions may vary. “Out-of-pocket costs can be very


high if your plan doesn’t cover it,” notes Perry Githens, a board-certified psychiatric nurse at CT TMS.


CHOOSING PROVIDER Because TMS requires daily visits, location matters. “You’re going every day, so driving an hour is difficult,” says Githens. “Getting the practitioner and patient close together is a good idea.” Patients who respond to treatment


often describe dramatic changes. “They say it’s like someone turned the light on, or they’ve had an awakening,” Githens says. Improvement can take time


— sometimes two to six weeks — but early signs, such as better sleep and reduced anxiety, may appear sooner.


EXPANDING USE Recently, the FDA approved TMS for teenagers age 15 and older. Studies have also shown high


success rates among older adults. “In some ways, it is more successful in this age group,” says Githens. “There is loss of capacity, loss of


friends or partners — it’s a common age for depression.”


FUTURE POSSIBILITIES Research continues to expand TMS applications. The Institute of Living is currently studying its potential use in treating addiction, while the Mayo Clinic is exploring how it might help people with epilepsy. For many, TMS represents a light at the end of the tunnel — a safe, effective treatment offering renewed hope when other options have failed.


BRAIN ILLUSTRATION/ ISTOCK.COM/PETERSCHREIBER.MEDIA / DR. & PATIENT/ISTOCK.COM/JESUS RODRIGUEZ


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