New Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Treat Depression
Posted on June 16, 2008 in Current Affairs by Danteshwari
The repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) has been made recently available in India. What is it? It is very “promising advance in neuro-psychiatry” and is a simple, painless and non-invasive way of treating depression.
The procedure is not all that cumbersome. The patient undergoing the therapy is asked to sit in a room with a special cap on his or her head. The rTMS machine, consisting of eight coils is placed on various parts of his or her skull. The motor- threshold of the patient is ascertained, in order to decide the magnetic stimulus intensity required to tackle the problem.
To start with, the treatment begins with the magnetic stimulus being given constantly. Every pulse is accompanied by a clicking sound. Although it varies from patient to patient, overall 20-30 sessions consisting of 20-30 minutes each is required. The rTMS complete package costs around Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 75,000. Those already on medicine can also take rTMS.
Neuropsychiatric illnesses involve the decreased or increased activity in various parts of the brain. rTMS in a selective manner increases or decreases this activity. It returns the under- excited or over- excited part of the brain to its normal levels of functioning.
According to WHO reports , the single and largest cause of morbidity by 2020 will be depression. According to Professor Mark George, editor of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Clinical Psychiatric, who is also the pioneer of this treatment, rTMS reduces acute symptoms of major depression and is a substitute for conventional therapy.
Sanjay Chugh, a psychiatrist claims that rTMS has been used successfully for disorders such as anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder and auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia.
Neuropsychiatric illnesses are linked up with changes occurring in neuroendocrine systems and neurotransmitters. rTMS can in due course be used for treating personality traits, which are dysfunctional such as stinginess with money, short-temper as well as an introverted personality.
Illumenta Corporation is responsible for bringing the treatment to India. Depending upon how severe the problem is, 10-12 sessions of one hour each can cost Rs. 5,000-Rs. 10,000.
source: TOI June 16, 2008
» Filed Under Current Affairs
June 16th, 2008 at 8:11 am
1. Kindly let me know the side effects of rTMS.
2. Whether rTMS should be preferred over psychotherapy for mild to moderate OCD (for obsessive thoughts only)?
June 16th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
I want name & address of doctor for treatment of my relative. Pl provide
June 26th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
in which cities in India (addresses, emails) is the rTMS treatment available ?
July 18th, 2008 at 6:19 am
want to know about how feasible is transcranial magnetic stimulation in conditions like depression nd wit history of neuritic pain(patient is prescribed tab pregabalin 300mg bd nd sufferin from its adverse effects but still on treatment)…the cost of the treatment nd the centres nd the treatment available….