Future forms of treatment

Fortunately new discoveries are being made all the time in the treatment of depression.

Here you can read about a new treatment that will probably be available within a few years.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

TMS is a promising new treatment for depression, which is still in the research phase. This is what happens:

• The coil activates the brain cells.
• An electromagnet is placed on the scalp over the temple region on either the left or the right side of the head.
• A current is passed through a figure-of-eight coil to create a pulsating magnetic field, which induces localized electric tension in the brain underneath the coil.

This method is similar to ECT.

Unlike ECT, the purpose is not to induce a convulsion. Also, the treatment is not carried out under anaesthetic.

How effective is TMS?

The method is so new that we cannot say anything for certain. However, in a number of studies TMS has proved to have a rapid and safe effect on depression.

Nevertheless, there still remain a number of unanswered questions. Unfortunately it seems that the effects last for only a few weeks. This means that there is a need to find a way of combining TMS with pharmalogical treatment.

Does TMS have any side effects?

The sole side effect observed is a mild headache, caused by tension in the muscles around the head. A normal painkiller will ease this headache.

One very positive sign is that there are no signs of any memory problems following TMS treatment.

When will TMS come into use?

We hope that TMS will be available to help fight depression within a few years.

With luck TMS may be able to replace ECT as a better form of treatment.