TMS study shows promising results in treating depression

Researchers at the University of Nottingham in the UK have found a promising treatment for severe depression, as reported by Nature Medicine. 

They conducted a study using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) on 255 individuals with treatment-resistant depression. 

The patients underwent 20 TMS sessions, resulting in "substantial improvements" in their quality of life and symptoms for at least six months, according to Fox News.

More than two-thirds of the subjects experienced the medication's effectiveness, with a third reporting a 50% reduction in symptoms.

Remarkably, one-fifth of the patients did not experience a return of their depression. 

Lead researcher Richard Morriss, a psychiatry professor, explained that they tailored the magnetic stimulation spot for each patient based on their MRI scan.

Notably, 92% of participants completed the entire therapy course with only "minor side effects" lasting less than a day. 

While the MRI-guided treatment is about 25% more expensive than traditional TMS, Morriss said that the benefits last longer, suggesting that individuals may only need one or at most two courses of treatment per year. 

"Notably, these therapies can be expensive and somewhat time-consuming; however, the benefits to people who have suffered for years are quite remarkable," he stated.

In 2023, 29% of Americans stated they had received a diagnosis of depression at some point in their lives, and 17.8% indicated they were still dealing with the condition.