TMS stands for transcranial magnetic stimulation. It is used to treat depression by stimulating the brain non-invasively using electromagnetic fields, similar to those produced by an MRI machine. During NeuroStar® Advanced Therapy TMS, a magnetic field is administered in very short pulses to the part of the brain that research has demonstrated to be associated with depression. The typical initial course of treatment is about 19-37 minutes daily over 4-6 weeks.

The NeuroStar® Advanced Therapy TMS system uses short pulses of magnetic fields to stimulate the area of the brain that is thought to function abnormally in patients with depression. The magnetic field produces an electric current in the brain that stimulates the brain cells (neurons). This results in changes that are thought to be beneficial in the treatment of depression.

It usually takes time for healthcare insurers to establish coverage policies for newly approved treatments such as NeuroStar® Advanced Therapy TMS. However, many commercial and Medicare plans have recognized the effectiveness of treating depression with NeuroStar® Advanced Therapy TMS and now cover NeuroStar® Advanced Therapy TMS as part of their plans. See here for a full list of insurance plans that cover NeuroStar® Advanced Therapy TMS .

No. NeuroStar® Advanced Therapy TMS involves a unique method of using pulsed magnetic fields for therapeutic benefit. The intensity of the magnetic field is similar to that of the magnetic fields used in magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI. These techniques differ radically from the popular use of low intensity, static magnetic fields. These products deliver weak and undirected static fields that are not capable of activating brain cells.