A new study has begun in the Biological Psychiatry unit in the psychiatric department at Hadassah Ein-Kerem Medical Center:
“Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in the Treatment of Major Depression- Augmentation of Antidepressant Medication”
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique which has been used worldwide as an investigational and therapeutic tool over 10 years. In TMS, alternating magnetic field is produced by a coil held in proximity to the patient’s head. This magnetic field induces electrical activity in relatively superficial brain regions close to the coil. The patient is fully awake throughout the treatment.
Many studies were done so far testing TMS efficacy in a variety of psychiatric disorders, mainly in depression. Overall, TMS was found beneficial in depression with a statistically significant effect but usually with a limited clinical effect.
Recently, new coils were developed by an Israeli company, capable of stimulating deeper brain regions involved in mood disorders, opening possibilities of greater benefit. The safety of the new coils was tested on humans subjects and confirmed in studies which took place in the US National Institute of Health and in the Shalvata Medical Center in Israel. Interim results of treatment study of depressive patients now taking place in Shalvata Medical Center are promising.
The current study at Hadassah aims to evaluate the novel deep TMS Coil designs as an augmentation measure in the treatment of medication-resistant major depression. TMS treatment will be administered five days per week for the first 4 weeks and then once a week for additional 4 weeks in addition to present antidepressant medication.
At the end of the study, patients will be referred back to their own psychiatrists.
For further details please contact Dr. Moshe Isserles, 054-2000797
TMS illustration