BrainsWay Deep TMS™

What is Deep TMS?

There are currently two kinds of TMS devices available for therapy: the earlier, standard rTMS and the more advanced Deep TMS.

Both are used to stimulate a targeted area of the brain called the prefrontal cortex to alleviate symptoms of depression, and the anterior cingulate cortex as well as the medial prefrontal cortex to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

While they share certain similarities, each holds its own unique attributes, with standard rTMS being the first on the market, and Deep TMS being more recent with the advantage of being able to stimulate a broader and deeper brain region.

This is particularly important given that with traditional rTMS, if the positioning is off by as little as 1mm, 40% of the required dosage can be lost. BrainsWay’s reduced likelihood of missing the target helps to avoid errors.

Why choose Deep TMS vs standard rTMS?

A 2019 study on MDD, published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research reported that when examined across all MDD levels of severity, both standard rTMS and Deep TMS treatments resulted in significantly higher remission rates when combined with pharmacotherapy, as opposed to pharmacotherapy alone.

Response rates, however, were found to be significantly higher for Deep TMS vs rTMS with pharmacotherapy, or pharmacotherapy alone.

BrainsWay Deep TMS was FDA approved for MDD in 2013 and for OCD in 2018. Thousands of patients have been safely and effectively treated since approval with minimal downtime.

What should I expect in a Deep TMS session?

Deep TMS is administered in the Dallas Center for Advanced Depression Treatments (CADT) by our providers and a certified technician.

During a Deep TMS treatment session, the magnetic coil, fitted into a helmet, is secured snugly to the patient’s head. Patients will hear a clicking sound and feel a tapping sensation on the scalp.

At the beginning of treatment, each patient’s brain is “mapped” by Dr. Bennett using the TMS device. This is a painless process. Mapping effectively locates the targeted area for treatment and the dose needed.

Once these parameters are determined, treatment is given daily, Monday-Saturday. Each daily treatment lasts approximately 20 minutes and treatment is usually completed over a 6-9 week period.

Deep TMS does not involve any anesthesia or sedation, and patients remain awake and alert during each treatment.

Deep TMS is associated with few side effects, the most common being mild scalp discomfort during treatment. Patients are able to drive themselves to and from appointments and continue with daily activities without modification.