Brain Treatment For Depression: Exploring This Type Of Depression Treatment
Depression is a mental health disorder that can negatively impact relationships, energy levels, mental well-being, and other aspects of day-to-day life, but it’s considered a treatable condition. Many people respond well to traditional treatments for major depressive disorder, such as talk therapy and medication. However, in cases of severe or treatment-resistant depression, doctors may recommend alternative approaches. Here, we’ll explore options for brain treatment for depression symptoms.
What is brain treatment for depression?
Brain treatment, or brain stimulation therapy, is when a qualified medical professional actively stimulates certain regions of a patient’s brain in order to reduce symptoms of depression. Neurosurgeons, neurologists, and other qualified medical professionals who are trained to perform this treatment may use magnetic or electrical pulses to stimulate certain areas of the brain. One brain area they typically target is the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for mood regulation. Since the prefrontal cortex is typically underactive in people with depression, small pulses may help excite prefrontal neurons, which may enhance brain function.
Why brain treatments can be effective for addressing anhedonia and other depression symptoms
One of the core symptoms of depression is anhedonia. People with anhedonia may lose interest in hobbies, social activities, and interactions and may have difficulty experiencing pleasure in general. The experience of anhedonia may indicate dysregulation in the brain’s reward system.
Medical professionals may turn to brain treatments to address anhedonia when other approaches have not been effective. For example, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a common depression medication, can further blunt emotions in certain individuals, which may exacerbate depression symptoms. Brain treatments may be a preferred alternative in such cases. This type of situation points to the need for personalized treatment plans for each individual living with depression.
Types of brain treatment for depression
Some people with depression may not respond to psychotherapy and medication, which can be referred to as treatment-resistant depression. While a doctor may recommend brain treatment for depression in such cases, there are various types to consider. Below are some key options.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) involves a qualified healthcare professional using magnetic pulses to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. TMS is a noninvasive brain stimulation procedure where a magnetic coil is placed on the head to induce the stimulation. Using their knowledge and experience with their patient, a healthcare professional like a doctor or psychiatrist will usually target a particular area that is believed to be causing symptoms. For example, they may target the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex for people with anhedonia. For severe depression, a provider may recommend repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, where multiple pulses are used in rapid succession for a potentially longer-lasting effect.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) involves using electrical currents to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. ECT is also non-invasive brain stimulation, but it is performed under general anesthesia as the currents trigger a seizure in the brain. ECT activates most of the brain. Electrical impulses from electrodes placed on the head may provide rapid relief of depression symptoms in some individuals.
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS)
Other brain stimulation therapies that may be used for treatment-resistant depression include deep brain stimulation (DBS) and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS). Deep brain stimulation is an invasive surgical procedure where electrodes are implanted into specific regions of the brain. From then on, the electrodes are always active and continuously modulate brain activity. Research suggests that DBS may significantly improve symptoms of chronic and treatment-resistant depression.
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is also an invasive surgical procedure. In this case, an electrode is implanted close to the vagus nerve on the neck. The vagus nerve is a central part of the nervous system, which impacts one’s capacity for mood control. That’s why vagus nerve stimulation may help improve symptoms of depression and regulate mood on an ongoing basis.
Where brain stimulation therapies like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) come from
While brain stimulation therapies can be particularly effective for treating depression, that was not always their primary use. Vagus nerve stimulation was originally designed as a treatment for epilepsy, electroconvulsive therapy was intended for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and transcranial magnetic stimulation was designed to assess the motor cortex in the brain. Today, any of these may be used to treat various mental illnesses, from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) to severe major depression.
Potential benefits and side effects of brain treatment for depression
By targeting nerve cells in the brain, stimulation therapies like transcranial magnetic stimulation may help treat depression symptoms. Below are some related potential benefits of brain stimulation therapies:
- Increased energy and motivation
- Improved mood and emotional stability
- Decreased chronic pain
- Improved sociability, which can enhance relationships with loved ones
- More clarity of thought, which may make day-to-day decisions easier
- Increased ability to adapt to change
In addition to the potential benefits, it can be important to be aware of possible side effects. Depending on the specific treatment, these may include headaches, nausea, muscle aches, confusion, short-term memory loss, mood changes, speech problems, and balance problems. Invasive treatments like DBS and VNS also carry inherent risks associated with any surgery.
Can brain treatment be performed virtually?
Brain treatments are in-person procedures that must be performed in the office of a specialized medical professional. However, there are a number of steps that need to be taken before and after the procedure, which may be performed online in some cases. For example, the initial consultation and diagnosis, post-procedure check-ins, image results analysis, and treatment plan and symptom management discussions are all aspects of brain treatment that may take place online.
Online mental health care to treat depression symptoms and side effects
While physical procedures like brain treatments must be performed in person, other types of treatment for depression can be done online in many cases. For example, a person who has begun to experience symptoms of depression can meet with a provider online for a diagnosis and talk therapy treatment. This type and format of treatment can be particularly convenient for those who have few therapists in their area or who can't regularly commute to and from in-person therapy appointments. With a platform like BetterHelp, you can get matched with a licensed therapist and then meet with them virtually from anywhere you have an internet connection. You can also switch therapists at any time for no additional cost, which can make it easier to find the right fit.
Can online therapy effectively treat depression?
While the brain stimulation therapies we’ve discussed here must take place with a medical professional in person, talk therapy treatment for depression can often be conducted online. Research suggests that online talk therapy can be as effective as in-person talk therapy for treating depression and anxiety in many cases.
Takeaway
For severe or treatment-resistant depression, brain stimulation therapies can often be beneficial for symptom reduction and management. These treatments are based on the relationship between the reward pathway in the brain and depression symptoms. Depending on the individual, forms of brain stimulation such as transcranial magnetic stimulation, electroconvulsive therapy, and vagus nerve stimulation may be effective. From enhancing everyday mood to increasing energy levels, there are many potential benefits of brain stimulation therapy. If you’re interested in this type of treatment, consult with your doctor or psychiatrist for personalized treatment advice.
What is a transcranial treatment for depression?
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is when a medical specialist uses magnetic pulses to stimulate nerve cells in a client’s brain. This approach may be used for individuals with treatment-resistant depression.
Is TMS covered by health care insurance?
TMS may be covered by some health insurance plans. However, an individual may need to try other types of treatment first and/or receive a recommendation from their doctor for this type of treatment in order for it to be covered. Inquire with your health insurance company about their coverage if you're considering exploring TMS.
What is the success rate of TMS for depression?
How much does TMS therapy cost?
The cost of transcranial magnetic stimulation (transcranial direct current stimulation therapy) depends on the duration, how many sessions you have, and where you get the treatment done. In some cases, TMS may be covered by insurance, especially in the case of severe unipolar major depression. TMS is often considered when other depression treatments, such as antidepressant medications, are not effective, so rTMS treatment is often more expensive than traditional treatments.
How long is TMS treatment?
Transcranial magnetic stimulation, also called repetitive TMS, requires multiple treatments of repeated magnetic pulses as an experimental treatment for mental health conditions like bipolar disorder (which can cause bipolar depression) and major depressive disorder. A doctor may prescribe 20 sessions of electromagnetic pulses through TMS to treat symptoms. These sessions are often offered over a span of a few weeks to months when other treatments have not been effective.
Who is not a good candidate for TMS?
Those who might not be a candidate for TMS may include:
- People with severe mania related to bipolar disorder
- People with other severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia
- Those who have found relief from effective treatments like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and medications
- Those with metal implants, electromagnetic coils, and medical devices in their bodies or near the stimulation site
- Those with a history of psychosis
What are the cons of TMS therapy?
TMS therapy is relatively safe to treat OCD, depression, and other conditions. Some people may experience minor side effects, such as tingling around the stimulation site. In addition, sessions are often required multiple times a week, which may take a significant time commitment. Talk to your doctor to explore whether TMS would be an effective treatment for you.
What is the new treatment for depression?
New treatments to control mood and unipolar depression are being researched through clinical trials all the time and studied through organizations like the National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH) and Science News. Transcranial magnetic stimulation is one of the most recent depression treatments, developed for treatment-resistant depressive disorders and other mental health conditions. TMS uses a pulse generator to send electromagnetic pulses through the brain through repeated sessions to change mood. This treatment can also act as a muscle relaxant, relaxing facial muscles. Other new treatments for depression may include newer therapeutic modalities and new types of antidepressant medications.
Is it hard to get approved for TMS?
Getting approved for TMS by a doctor or through your insurance company may be difficult if you haven’t tried other treatments for mental health conditions because TMS is generally considered after other treatments have not been effective for someone.
Do you need a referral for TMS therapy?
In some cases, you may require a referral for TMS, especially if you will be using insurance to pay for services. If you go through a TMS clinic on your own, they may ask questions to determine your eligibility for the treatment. Some people may be recommended to try other treatments before TMS if they haven’t previously.
- Previous Article
- Next Article