Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive, FDA-cleared treatment that uses precisely targeted magnetic pulses to stimulate underactive regions of the brain responsible for mood regulation — without medication, anesthesia, or recovery time.
TMS works by delivering brief magnetic pulses — similar in strength to those used in MRI machines — through a coil placed against the scalp. These pulses penetrate the skull painlessly and stimulate neurons in the targeted brain region.
In patients with Major Depressive Disorder, the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) — a region critical to mood regulation — is measurably underactive. TMS targets this region directly, using repeated stimulation to promote neuroplasticity and restore healthy neural circuit activity over the course of treatment.
Unlike antidepressants, which work systemically through the bloodstream, TMS acts locally and directly — without affecting the rest of the body, and without the systemic side effects that cause many patients to discontinue medication.
TMS is most appropriate for patients with a documented MDD diagnosis who have not achieved adequate improvement with at least one antidepressant. Call (719) 602-0622 for a free eligibility review.
The primary indication. Patients who have tried at least one antidepressant at an adequate dose and duration without satisfactory improvement are the core TMS candidate population.
Patients who experience intolerable side effects from antidepressants — weight gain, sexual dysfunction, cognitive blunting — may qualify for TMS regardless of whether medications partially worked.
Some patients prefer to avoid medication entirely. While insurance typically requires a prior medication trial, out-of-pocket TMS is available for patients who decline pharmacotherapy on principle.
For veterans and others with PTSD and concurrent MDD, TMS addresses both conditions through a shared neurological mechanism and is covered by TRICARE and the VA.
NeuroStar holds a specific FDA clearance for patients whose depression is accompanied by significant anxiety — the only TMS system with this designation.
Following NeuroStar's 2024 FDA clearance for adolescent MDD, High Peaks TMS offers TMS for patients age 15 and older with a physician referral and documented prior medication trial.
Free consultation. We review your clinical history and insurance at no charge.