Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for treatment of major depression involves placing the coil to target a portion of the brain located just above and behind the left temple, called the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). This region of the brain is associated with abstract reasoning, attentional control, and working memory. The prefrontal cortex is uniquely developed in humans.…
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Before going to your first ketamine infusion appointment, you might feel a little nervous. You might worry about the IV needle, whether or not it will work, and how you will feel during the infusion. While there is no alternative for the needle prick, we can help you understand how you will likely feel during…
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Depression is a heterogeneous disorder: the combination of symptoms, its etiology, and treatment responses are varied and wide-ranging. Just as each patient’s experience with depression is unique, individual experiences with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) may differ. Through sharing the stories of three patients (whose names and details have been changed to protect their privacy), this…
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When choosing a method of treatment for your depression, it is important to consider timing. Antidepressants take about 4-6 weeks to work, and you usually remain on them for up to a year after your depression improves. Since antidepressant medications are usually taken daily, patients must be willing and able to be compliant to this…
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Ketamine and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) are both cutting-edge treatments being used by psychiatrists and other mental health providers for depression and other mood disorders. At Principium Psychiatry, we are proud to have both of these treatments available to our patients. But what distinguishes these two treatments? Both treat medication-resistant depression, but what are the…
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Why Do Ketamine Infusions Work to Treat Depression Ketamine: Although this varies by patient, we usually start seeing the effects of Ketamine on mood after 2 or 3 infusions. However, for a longer lasting effect, patients usually need at least 6 infusions. The response rate for Ketamine is quite high, with 70% of patients showing…
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Before Starting: Often likened to a lazy boy chair, the TMS chair is cushioned and reclines such that the patient rests comfortably with his or her head supported by a headrest. The doctor, nurse or TMS technician may ask the patient to remove any metallic jewelry such as earrings, large necklaces, headwear or bracelets prior…
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Historical Overview of TMS for Treatment-Resistant Depression An aspiring artist who apprenticed as a barber and then as a cobbler, Santiago Ramón y Cajal went on to become a world-class anatomist. In 1906, Ramón y Cajal won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his drawings of the neuron—spiny, arborous structures that conduct electrical impulses across…
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