Recently named as the top neuromodulation solution for advanced mental health treatment by MedTech Outlook magazine, Neuronetics’ NeuroStar Advanced Therapy has provided over 4 million treatments to individuals suffering from major depressive disorders using transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy (TMS). 

Keep reading to learn more about:

• Neuromodulation technology
• Neuronetics Inc.
• NeuroStar Advanced Therapy 
• The future of neuromodulation technology

What is neuromodulation?

Neuromodulation technology has long been used to relieve chronic pain but has slowly been introduced as treatment for treatment-resistant psychiatric disorders as well.

Neuromodulation is a form of treatment often used to help with chronic pain and other neurological health conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease. Though it is a relatively new form of therapy, neuromodulation has helped to treat the direct source of pain for many individuals struggling with chronic pain or disease. 

Defined as “the alteration of nerve activity through targeted delivery of a stimulus, such as electrical stimulation or chemical agents, to specific neurological sites in the body” neuromodulation technology and devices have become widely used in a variety of therapies, including transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy.

The benefits of neuromodulation treatment

Neuromodulation treatments are some of the best therapies for treatment-resistant neurological disorders and chronic pain. With deep brain stimulation, neuromodulation technology has been used to help treat many of the following disorders:

• Depression
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Tourette Syndrome
• Epilepsy
  

For individuals with drug-resistant conditions, neuromodulation can help to “unstick” their brain waves from abnormal or unhealthy patterns and can enhance the brain's natural neuroplasticity to allow for new, healthier patterns to be formed.  

Besides helping to form new and healthy patterns in the brain, neuromodulation and neurostimulation technologies can improve the connectivity of the brain, allowing for better synchrony between different regions of the brain and improving the speed of information processing. 

Who is Neuronetics Inc.?

A leader in transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy, Neuronetics Inc has continued to set the standard for neuromodulation treatments in the field of psychiatry. 

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Created in 2003, Neuronetics Inc. is a medical technology company that focuses on designing non-invasive treatments for psychiatric disorders deemed to be treatment-resistant. When a disorder is treatment-resistant, that means that the traditional forms of therapy or the commonly used psychiatric medications did little or nothing to improve the individual's experience living with the disorder. 

Awarded FDA (Food and Drug Administration) clearance in 2006, Neuronetics’ NeuroStar Advanced Therapy has provided treatment to over 4 million patients and seen an 83% response rate in their treatment of Major Depressive Disorder.

As the largest provider of TMS therapies, Neuronetics redefined patient expectations for treatment of psychiatric disorders that had before been extremely difficult to treat. They were also the first to provide a TMS system that was designed for clinical use in treating individuals with major depressive disorder. 

The company also provides clinical training to psychiatrists as well as other post-implementation support services which allow them to better provide for patients undergoing treatment for major depressive disorder. 

What is NeuroStar Advanced Therapy and TMS Treatment?

NeuroStar Advanced Therapy is the gold standard for neuromodulation and transcranial magnetic stimulation therapies in the United States. 

NeuroStar Advanced Therapy is office-based therapy that uses TMS therapy to stimulate neurons in areas of the brain associated with mood control. 

Appointments typically last between 20-30 minutes in length and are intended for adult patients for whom traditional treatment or medication did not improve their depression. Treatment is provided over the course of 4 to 6 weeks, most patients begin to see improvements in mood after 2 or 3 weeks of treatment.

NeuroStar Advanced Therapy is 

• Non-invasive
• Drug-free
• Extensively researched and safe
• NOT electroconvulsive therapy
  

Unlike electroconvulsive therapy, which requires sedation, TMS therapies such as NeuroStar allow patients to remain awake and alert throughout treatment sessions. 

NeuroStar Advanced Therapy is a non-invasive and non-drug therapy that uses a targeted electromagnet to produce a pattern of pulses that elicits a response at the synapse, allowing for a release of more neurotransmitters in the specified area of the brain. 

Having successfully treated over 100,000 patients with 83% of patients responding to the acute treatment and 62% achieving remission, NeuroStar has redefined treatment options for patients and providers alike. Their shorter appointments allow for a practice to remain patient-centered and provide as much care to as many people as possible in a day. 

While TMS has been used to treat a variety of psychiatric and neurological disorders, NeuroStar Advanced Therapy has mostly been used to treat individuals with Major Depressive Disorder. Further research on the potential uses of TMS therapies are ongoing with new findings surrounding the use of TMS for disorders like OCD and PTSD.  

The Future of Neuromodulation technology

What Neuronetics has in store for the future of neuromodulation treatments as psychiatric care.

With incredible results in depression treatment in the United States, Neuronetics looks to expand the capabilities of the NeuroStar technology to help in treating other psychiatric disorders such as bipolar disorder. 

Furthermore, Neuronetics looks to expand their operations overseas in Japan, where approximately 2.4 million people are diagnosed with major depressive disorder. The company’s long-term mission is to provide quality psychiatric care to people everywhere. 

Whether you are struggling with treatment-resistant depression and are looking for an alternative treatment option, or know someone who is struggling with treatment for their depression, find out if NeuroStar treatment is the right option for treatment. 

As a clinically proven, FDA approved, leader in psychiatric care and therapies, NeuroStar is well on their way of fulfilling their mission to implement meaningful change in people’s lives. 

Psychiatric care practitioners looking to partner with Neuronetics are provided with step-by-step practice implementation, staff training, and management planning services as well as 24/7 technical support and services.