Effective therapy for depression difficult to access in Canada

“Brain stimulation, if used carefully and safely, looks promising, especially if combined with other therapies,”

says Dr. Daniel Press, a neurologist with the Berenson-Allen Center for Noninvasive Brain Stimulation at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Dr. Press has used noninvasive brain stimulation for almost a decade.

This CTV report identifies memory loss research including a Harvard report also noting small-scale studies suggested that people with mild Alzheimer’s disease could see improved function through a combination of TMS and cognitive exercises

Two complementary studies recently found that noninvasive and extremely mild brain stimulation could be used to improve episodic and working memory in older adults

In a new study, scientists improved memory of complex, realistic events by applying transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to the brain network responsible for memory

The researchers then had participants watch videos of realistic activities to measure how memory works during everyday tasks. The findings prove it is possible to measure and manipulate realistic types of memory.

Dr. Sarah Tremblay worked tirelessly for two years to bring TMS to The Royal in Ottawa

This dream of Dr. Tremblay’s became a reality in January 2020. The Royal’s new rTMS clinical-research platform is the first of its kind in the Ottawa region and is quickly becoming a much sought-after treatment for depression. Tremblay states, “Neuromodulation offers us a whole new way of looking at mental health treatment, where we can identify malfunctioning circuits in the brain and effectively treat them in a non-drug, non-invasive way.”

Calgary psychiatrist Dr. Lisa Harpur talks about the Rockyview TMS Clinic

There are a total of five RTMS clinics in Alberta: two in Calgary, two in Edmonton and one in Ponoka. Harpur said there is an ongoing initiative to bring more programs to other areas of the province but that there is currently a lack of funding to do so.

The five clinics have been working together to try to secure those funds. Each has been providing the same treatment and then collecting data from questionnaires that they have patients fill out at follow-up visits.

Two Nova Scotia hospitals will soon offer TMS treatment for depression, PTSD and other mental health disorders

The QEII Foundation in Halifax said a donation of more than $400,000 from Bell’s Let’s Talk campaign allowed it to reach its goal of $759,000 to launch the new treatment program.

Dr. Michael Flynn, a psychiatrist at the Nova Scotia Hospital is quoted “”The key is it’s now accessible. You can have the best treatment, but if you can’t access it, it’s not being optimized.”

Dr. Fidel Rogriguez of the Ninet Clinic at University of British Columbia and Dr. Jonathan Downar of the rTMS Clinic at UHN in Toronto speak to the effectiveness of an accelerated TMS protocol.

The pandemic has reduced access to ECT treatment for depressed patients as it is hospital based, require the use of sedation, and health care providers use of full PPE. In both Toronto and Vancouver accelerated TMS is proving to be effective for these patients, with significantly reduced side effects.

Five tips to keep your brain healthy from the Mayo Clinic.

Dr. Fidel Rodgriguez talks TMS at the Ninet Clinic, UBC in this podcast.

Helen Farrell shares understanding of depression as well as how to supporting someone with depression in this TED talk.

New procedure of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for central neuropathic pain: a placebo-controlled randomized crossover study

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment for depressive disorders

Announcement: FDA approval for Magventure TMS in treatment of OCD

Magventure has worked closely with brain researchers for well over 25 years, providing numerous TMS solutions to help advance the field of neuroscience – both basic and applied. Expanding the treatment options to include other indications than major depressive disorder, such as OCD, is one more important step towards helping more adult patients improve their mental health.

Optimind Clinic Inc is a proud partner and uses the Magventure Transcranial Magnetic Stimulator.