NeuroStar TMS Therapy
When antidepressants have not brought relief, NeuroStar transcranial magnetic stimulation treats depression at its source, without the systemic side effects of medication.
Delivered in our Duxbury office and integrated with medication management, therapy and measurement.
Treatment at the Source
NeuroStar TMS uses MRI-strength magnetic pulses to stimulate nerve cells in the brain regions responsible for mood regulation. Antidepressants circulate through your entire body; TMS precisely targets the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the area most directly linked to depression.
By reactivating underactive connections in that region, TMS helps restore the networks depression has weakened, without systemic side effects. NeuroStar is backed by the largest clinical data set of any TMS system and the largest depression outcomes registry in the field.
What makes it work in our hands is the same thing that makes everything else here work: careful patient selection, a medication history documented well enough that authorization is not a fight, symptom scores through the entire course, and integration with therapy and medication management.
Real-World Results
From the NeuroStar Outcomes Registry and published naturalistic studies. Individual results vary.
Each additional antidepressant trial that fails lowers the odds that the next medication will bring remission, which is why TMS is worth considering early rather than as a last resort.
Who NeuroStar Treats
Major Depressive Disorder
Adults who have not achieved satisfactory improvement from prior antidepressant medication in the current episode.
Primary indicationAnxious Depression
Decreasing anxiety symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder who also have comorbid anxiety.
FDA-clearedOCD
An adjunct treatment for adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder.
AdjunctAdolescent Depression
An adjunct for patients ages 15 to 21 with major depressive disorder, with parental consent and careful clinical assessment.
Ages 15 to 21What to Expect
Consultation
Your provider reviews your treatment history, completes a safety screening, explains the timeline and handles insurance pre-authorization.
Before you startBrain mapping
The first session locates the treatment area and sets your motor threshold, the magnetic strength calibrated to your brain.
Session 1, about 60 to 90 minutesTreatment sessions
You sit in a reclined chair while the coil delivers focused pulses. Read, listen to music or relax. Trained staff are present throughout every session.
Five days a weekBack to your day
No anesthesia, no sedation, no recovery time. Drive yourself home, go back to work, exercise as usual.
Zero downtimeProgress monitoring
PHQ-9, GAD-7 and clinical assessments at regular intervals, so every decision in the course is guided by data.
Measurement-basedWeek by Week
| When | Phase | What is typical |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1 to 2 | Adaptation | Your brain adjusts to stimulation. Scalp discomfort is common and fades quickly. Few symptom changes yet, and some people notice a temporary dip. |
| Weeks 3 to 4 | Early response | Subtle improvements: better sleep, more energy, small shifts in mood or motivation. Others may notice before you do. |
| Weeks 5 to 6 | Significant relief | Most people who respond see meaningful improvement here: mood lifts, interest returns, daily functioning improves. |
| Weeks 7 to 9 | Consolidation | The taper reduces session frequency while gains consolidate. |
| Ongoing | Maintenance | Some people benefit from periodic booster sessions, weekly to monthly. We plan this with you near the end of the acute course. |
Who It Fits
You may be a good candidate if you
- Have tried one or more antidepressants without satisfactory improvement
- Have moderate to severe depressive symptoms that affect daily life
- Can commit to five sessions a week for about six to nine weeks
- Want a non-medication option, or an alternative to adding more drugs
- Have found medication side effects intolerable or concerning
Important safety considerations
- TMS is not suitable with ferromagnetic metal implants in or near the head, such as cochlear implants, aneurysm clips, stents or bullet fragments
- A history of seizures, or conditions that lower the seizure threshold, requires careful evaluation
- Dental fillings, braces and titanium implants are generally safe and are reviewed during screening
A complete safety screening is done before any treatment begins.
Insurance and Payment Options
Insurance Coverage
TMS is covered by most major commercial plans when their criteria are met. We verify your benefits and manage the entire pre-authorization process so you can focus on getting better.
Financing
Interest-free financing through Advance Care Card (6 to 14 months) and CareCredit. HSA and FSA funds can also be applied toward TMS.
Self-Pay
Self-pay rates are available for patients who prefer to pay directly. Call (781) 803-7757 or email intakes@modern-mentality.com to discuss pricing and payment plans.
In Network With the Major Plans
Self-pay and out-of-network options are also available. Coverage criteria vary by plan; we verify your benefits and handle prior authorization before treatment begins.
Frequently Asked
Does TMS hurt?
Most people feel a tapping or knocking sensation on the scalp. Mild discomfort is common in the first week and usually fades as you adjust, and your provider can fine-tune settings for comfort.
How long is each session?
Treatment runs about 19 to 37 minutes depending on your protocol. With check-in and assessment, plan for 45 to 60 minutes per visit. The first mapping session runs longer.
Can I keep taking my medications?
Yes. TMS can be used alongside your current medications, and many patients work with their prescriber to adjust medications during or after the course as symptoms improve.
When will I feel better?
Most people who respond notice improvement around weeks 4 to 6. Some feel it earlier; others need the full course. We track your progress with validated measures throughout.
What if I miss a session?
Missing one or two sessions occasionally is manageable. Short gaps do not significantly affect outcomes as long as the full course is completed, but consistent attendance gives you the best chance of success.
Are the results permanent?
Response has been shown to be durable through 12 months, and some people benefit from periodic maintenance sessions. Completing the full course also creates the documentation needed for future coverage if retreatment is ever needed.
What are the side effects?
The most common is mild scalp discomfort at the treatment site, which usually fades after the first week. TMS does not cause weight gain, sexual dysfunction, sedation, nausea or dry mouth. There is a rare risk of seizure (less than 0.1 percent per patient).
Is TMS covered by insurance?
Most major commercial plans cover TMS when their criteria are met. Most insurers require documentation of prior antidepressant trials. Our team handles the entire pre-authorization process.
Ready to Explore TMS?
If antidepressants have not given you the relief you deserve, TMS may be the next step. Book a consultation to find out whether you are a candidate.
References
- Sackeim HA, et al. (2020). Clinical outcomes in a large registry of patients with major depressive disorder treated with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. Journal of Affective Disorders, 277:65–74.
- Dunner DL, et al. (2014). A multisite, naturalistic, observational study of transcranial magnetic stimulation for patients with pharmacoresistant major depressive disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 75(12):1394–1401.
NeuroStar indications and important safety information
Adult indications. The NeuroStar Advanced Therapy System is indicated for the treatment of depressive episodes and for decreasing anxiety symptoms for those who may exhibit comorbid anxiety symptoms in adult patients suffering from Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and who failed to achieve satisfactory improvement from previous antidepressant medication treatment in the current episode. The NeuroStar Advanced Therapy System is intended to be used as an adjunct for the treatment of adult patients suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
Adolescent indications. NeuroStar Advanced Therapy is indicated as an adjunct for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in adolescent patients (15–21).
Important safety information. NeuroStar Advanced Therapy is only available by prescription. A doctor can help decide if NeuroStar Advanced Therapy is right for you. Patients’ results may vary. The most common side effect is pain or discomfort at or near the treatment site. These events are transient; they occur during the TMS treatment course and do not occur for most patients after the first week of treatment. There is a rare risk of seizure associated with the use of TMS therapy (<0.1% per patient). Visit neurostar.com for full safety and prescribing information.