Transcranial Magnetic
Stimulation
For many patients who have not found relief from depression, anxiety and/or OCD with psychotherapy or medications, TMS can be highly effective and can provide relief for many months to years.
At Clear Path we offer several types of TMS therapy, one of which, can provide rapid and lasting relief for patients within 3-5 days.
What is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation?
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a highly effective, noninvasive, brain stimulation therapy for patients who need relief from depression or OCD but have not found success with psychotherapy or medications.
A single course of TMS treatment can significantly reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety and/or OCD for many months to years. After TMS, many patients experience less anxiety and think sharper, with better memory and concentration.
Understanding the BrainsWay® System
Our TMS treatments are administered using the BrainsWay® system, thereby mitigating the need for expensive neuronavigation.
Using this system, we are able to stimulate either the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (H1 coil) or the anterior cingulate cortex and medial prefrontal cortex (H7 coil) for the effective treatment of depression, anxiety or OCD.
Accelerated iTBS protocols
For patients with treatment resistant depression, we have found that our accelerated iTBS protocols work best and usually provide relief in
5-10 days or less.
Unfortunately, this treatment protocol in not yet covered by insurance. Therefore, we also provide conventional TMS treatments that are covered by select insurance plans, however, it usually takes longer to feel relief.
Spravato®
Esketamine
For many patients with treatment resistant depression who may be suicidal, Spravato® can provide relief within hours. Spravato® is self-administered as a nasal pray under close supervision.
The active ingredient in Spravato®, esketamine, calms the part of the brain that’s responsible for anxious, self-critical, ruminative thoughts, called the default mode network.
What is Spravato® esketamine?
Spravato® is the first FDA-approved esketamine therapy found to work for treatment-resistant depression with almost immediate effect (24 hours or less). It has also been shown to reduce reduce suicidal thoughts and feelings.
Esketamine works differently to typical anti-depressant medications becuase the mechanism of action is thought to to involve the modulation of glutamate, a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in synaptic plasticity.
How to take Spravato®
Spravato® is a nasal spray that is self-administered by the patient in the office while being monitored for at least two hours. Spravato® is administered two times per week for the first four weeks, and if effective, is administered every one to two weeks thereafter.
Treatment plans
Ongoing maintenance treatments seem to be necessary to prevent relapse. Therefore, many patients find success by starting with Spravato® to get better quickly and then switch to TMS for longer-lasting relief.
Because Spravato® is FDA-approved, it is covered by most insurance plans. We provide a comfortable and private environment for treatment and can help with securing preauthorization approval.
