Neurostimulation includes a set of techniques mainly indicated in the treatment of psychiatric and neurological disorders. The most famous techniques? The repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS).
What is rTMS?
According to the High Authority for Health (HAS), repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is “a medical therapeutic act of non-invasive neurostimulation seeking to modulate the excitability of certain areas of the brain in order to improve the symptoms of neuropsychiatric pathologies such as depression”. In practice, rTMS generates an electric current, with the aim of stimulating or inhibiting certain areas of the brain, by acting on the activity of the prefrontal cortex. By repercussion, this modulates the limbic system, often nicknamed the seat of emotions, and sadness and anguish fade away.
Can depression be cured with neurostimulation?
The use of transcranial magnetic stimulation in the treatment of depression1 is very effective. This technique halves the intensity of depression in most patients. A third of them are even in remission after a cure of six weeks, at the rate of five sessions per week.
How is the exam going ?
An rTMS must necessarily be prescribed by a doctor. The examination can be performed on an outpatient basis, without anesthesia, and lasts approximately 20 minutes. During the examination, a copper coil is placed on the patient’s head, following a precise inclination, making it possible to target the areas of the brain to be activated or inhibited2. This coil is connected to a generator which sends a short, low-intensity electric current intended to produce a magnetic field which crosses the bone of the skull and the dura mater to produce a new electric field on the surface of the cortex.
Is it painful?
No way ! The whole process is almost painless. It is possible to have a few headaches afterwards, but it is usually enough to take paracetamol to get rid of them.
Neurostimulation: how much does it cost?
rTMS has been practiced for more than 35 years in France with excellent results, but – unjustifiably – it is still not reimbursed. Fortunately, by using mutual insurance, the majority of people manage to get treatment without paying too much. More info on neurostimfrance.com
Thanks to Dr. Alexis Bourla.
1. Transcranial magnetic stimulation for the treatment of drug-resistant depression in adultsHigh Authority for Health (HAS)
2. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS), Aldophe de Rothschild Foundation Hospital.
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