Patient’s journeys to healing

Emily

Set free from depression

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Cruze

Concussion recovery

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Bart

Beating depression

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Commonly asked Questions

What is the science behind MindSET PrTMS?

When neurons in the brain are injured, traumatized, or exposed to prolonged stress, they may react by entering a form of “self-preservation” mode in which they drift off-frequency. These neurons fall out of sync with the rest of the brain and interfere with normal electrical rhythms.

When regions of the brain associated with focus, critical thought, emotions, or regulating impulses no longer perform normally, the resulting symptoms can be significant. Neurons that respond by slowing down contribute to depression, inability to focus, and/or social withdrawal. Conversely, neurons that become agitated are associated with anxiety, hyper-vigilance, sleep disruption, enhanced awareness of pain, self-medication with controlled substances, emotional outbursts, or OCD.

MindSET PrTMS uses a series of magnetic pulses personalized to the patient’s brain activity to restore affected neurons to the brain’s primary frequency. Brain tissue converts the magnetic energy into an electrical impulse at a defined frequency, training neurons to fire in alignment with the patient’s optimal “brain beat.”

Is it safe?

In a word, yes. The MindSET PrTMS personalized protocol involves physician-supervised “off-label” investigational use of a device cleared by the FDA to treat drug-resistant major depressive disorder. More than 4,000 patients have been treated to date at the PeakLogic research clinic in San Diego and other clinics around the country.

What does PrTMS stand for?

Personalized repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is an innovative, patient-specific version of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), a treatment for clinical depression first cleared by the FDA more than two decades ago.

Traditional TMS is “one-size-fits-all,” treating all patients with a fixed level and pattern of brain stimulation.

MindSET PrTMS stimulation levels are far below traditional TMS treatments but achieve symptom improvement for many patients because the treatment protocol is personalized to the unique electrical activity in their brains. This reduced stimulation level allows for treatment of regions that traditional TMS cannot address and, therefore, results in patients suffering many different symptoms, not just depression.

What will I feel?

Most patients feel nothing other than a slight tapping sensation. Patients relax in a specialized treatment chair while a trained technician guides a magnetic emitter to areas of the brain requiring stimulation. Patients hear a clicking sound when stimulation is underway.

We provide snacks containing sugar after treatment. The enhanced brain activity associated with PrTMS may temporarily cause blood sugar levels to drop, and the ingestion of sugar quickly remedies this. On rare occasions, this drop in blood sugar may also bring on a very mild headache, but these usually pass speedily or can be alleviated with over-the-counter medications.

The majority of patients return to school, work, or everyday activities following treatment.

How long does treatment take?

Patients typically receive one or two 25-minute treatments per day, five days a week, for several weeks. The number of treatments recommended will depend upon the patient’s reason for seeking treatment, the severity of symptoms, and how the brain responds.

Many patients tell us they notice symptoms improving after a few days of treatment. Improvement in sleep quality is generally the first change patients describe. Autism spectrum disorders typically are the most resistant to treatment. Several months of treatment may be necessary for maximum benefits.

Will my insurance cover the cost of PrTMS treatments?

MindSET PrTMs may be fully or partially covered for those diagnosed with drug-resistant major depressive disorder (MDD). Treatment for most other conditions is seldom reimbursed.

Our staff will be happy to help with any necessary paperwork you may need to submit to your insurance for prior authorization and reimbursement. Our office partners with Advance Care can offer affordable financing options for those interested.