At Brooklyn Psychiatry and TMS, we use Deep TMS (dTMS) technology manufactured by Brainsway. dTMS utilizes a unique combination of coils that enable stimulation to occur in deeper and wider areas of the brain than traditional TMS, and studies suggest it has greater treatment efficacy.

dTMS stimulates targeted areas of the cerebral cortex with a series of magnetic pulses produced by a coil contained in a padded helmet worn by the patient. The stimulation impacts the activity of neurons in the brain, increasing blood flow, neurotransmitters and neuronal connections. It affects local and distant areas of the brain, which are associated with depression and obsessive compulsive disorder. There is also evidence suggesting that dTMS can improve symptoms in a range of neuropsychiatric disorders.

There will be an initial evaluation to determine if you are a candidate for dTMS. A typical course of treatment includes five sessions per week for the first four weeks and then biweekly sessions for a clinically determined duration. Most patients who benefit will experience results in three to four weeks, and some patients will experience improvement in less time. Evidence shows that patients obtain maximal benefits when they complete the full course of treatment. 

The initial dTMS session will last about an hour, and follow-up sessions will last between 20-30 minutes. The initial session lasts longer since the technician must take measurements to “map” the ideal placement of the helmet for each patient’s unique head and brain. A series of pulses will then be run to determine the correct dose of stimulation for your treatment. This is called your motor threshold (MT) – the smallest amount of stimulation that will cause your thumb or toe to twitch. MT will be rechecked periodically during follow-up sessions.

The helmet will then be secured over the treatment area, and the technician will inform you when the treatment will begin. During the course of the treatment, you will feel a tapping sensation and hear a loud clicking sound. You will be awake and alert during the entire session, and you will be supervised.

Prior to all sessions, patients will be asked to remove facial jewelry and insert earplugs.

TMS is a safe treatment with minimal side effects. Headache, scalp tenderness, or jaw pain may occur with the first few sessions and usually resolves over time. There is an extremely low risk of seizure. Please inform the technician if you have a change in medication, medical condition, or the amount of alcohol you consume as these may increase the chance of a seizure.

TMS should not be used if you have metal implants in or around your head (except for standard dental fillings and braces), unremovable facial jewelry, implanted electronic devices, or a history of seizures.