Accelerated TMS (aTMS): Rapid Response and Remission

More Effective Than Antidepressants

79% Remission Rate

aTMS achieves remission rates of 79% in treatment-resistant depression, compared with 32–44% for SSRIs.[1] It delivers symptom relief in days and is generally well tolerated. Its efficacy and safety profile suggests it should be a first-line treatment for depression, if costs and convenience were not a factor.[2]
[1], [2]

Lower Side Effect Profile

Minimal Side Effects

aTMS typically involves mild headache and scalp discomfort. In contrast, SSRIs frequently cause gastrointestinal upset, sexual dysfunction, and drowsiness, and carry warnings for serious risks.[3]
[3]

Fast Relief: May Prevent Hospitalization & ECT

Rapid & Robust

The fast and robust relief from aTMS may prevent disruptive hospitalizations and ECT. While ECT is effective, it's a major procedure with side effects like memory loss and cognitive impairment.

One-Week aTMS: Evidence-Based (SAINTS)

78.6% Remission, 85.7% Response

A well-researched protocol (10 sessions/day for 5 days) delivering immediate results with high response (85.7%) and remission (78.6%) rates, outperforming traditional TMS and SSRIs in trials.[4]
[4]

Two-Week aTMS: Tolerable & Flexible

Our Preferred Modality

5 sessions/day for 10 days. This community-based protocol is our preferred modality for its efficacy and tolerability.

  • More tolerable and convenient for patients.
  • Allows time for supportive therapies and exercise.
  • Provides a longer timeframe for treatment adjustments.

One-Day aTMS: Cutting-Edge (ONE-D)

72% Remission, 91% Response

This emerging protocol (20 sessions in one day with medication adjuncts) shows most patients feel relief immediately. Offers high remission/response at six weeks.[5] We are considering this highly convenient option.
[5]

References

  1. Cole EJ, Phillips AL, Bentzley BS, et al. Stanford Neuromodulation Therapy (SNT): A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial. The American Journal of Psychiatry. 2022;179(2):132-141. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2021.20101429. PMID: 34711062 [Source]
  2. Sean J. O’Sullivan, Derrick M. Buchanan, Jean-Marie V. Batail, and Nolan R. Williams, “Should rTMS be considered a first-line treatment for major depressive episodes in adults?,” Clinical Neurophysiology 165 (September 2024): 76–87, published online June 19 2024. [Source]
  3. Leslie Miller, M.D. (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9199-1174) and John V. Campo, M.D., “Depression in Adolescents,” New England Journal of Medicine 385, no. 5 (July 28, 2021): 445–49. [Source]
  4. Ibid. (referring to Cole EJ, Phillips AL, Bentzley BS, et al. 2022) [Source]
  5. Real-world effectiveness of a single-day regimen for transcranial magnetic stimulation using Optimized, Neuroplastogen-Enhanced techniques in Depression (ONE-D). Donald A Vaughn, Brooke Marino, Alex Engelbertson, Aleksandra Dojnov, Nick Weis, Fidel Vila-Rodriguez, Georgine Nanos, Jonathan Downar. [Source]