Brainsway Deep TMS device Houston, TX

Brainsway Deep TMS in Houston, TX

Brainsway Deep TMS is an advanced, noninvasive treatment for patients suffering from depression who have not achieved satisfactory improvement from prior antidepressant therapy. At Houston West TMS, board-certified psychiatrist Dr. William K. Drell uses this FDA-cleared technology to deliver brief magnetic pulses deep into the brain regions linked to mood, offering renewed hope without surgery, anesthesia, or systemic medication side effects.

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Brainsway Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (Deep TMS) is a noninvasive technique used to apply brief magnetic pulses to the brain. The pulses are administered by passing high currents through an electromagnetic coil placed adjacent to the patient’s scalp, inducing an electric field one to two inches into the underlying brain tissue. When the induced field reaches a certain threshold and is directed in an appropriate orientation relative to the brain’s neuronal pathways, the neurons in the relevant brain structures are activated. Deep TMS is based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology but involves no radiation, since no X-rays are taken.

What sets Deep TMS apart from standard TMS is its reach. Deep TMS works deeper in the brain and targets a broader area of the prefrontal region than conventional TMS. The unique coil design is engineered to maximize stimulation of the cortical neurons where antidepressant effects are believed to occur, while a broader electrical field increases the likelihood that the correct area of the brain is targeted. Among clinicians who have used both Brainsway and other TMS systems, Brainsway is often regarded as more effective, with research from 2019 showing a better response rate and a greater reduction in depression severity than regular TMS.

Benefits and Advantages of Deep TMS

  • Noninvasive, outpatient treatment with no downtime
  • Statistically and clinically significant improvement in depression symptoms; a 2015 systematic review and meta-analysis of nine Deep TMS studies showed 60% of patients responded and 29% remitted, while real-world practice data reported 75% responded and 51% remitted after 30 treatments
  • The first treatment session lasts approximately 60 minutes, followed by daily sessions of roughly 30 minutes
  • No seizures or anesthesia involved, unlike electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
  • Nothing is surgically implanted into the body, unlike Vagal Nerve Stimulation or Deep Brain Stimulation
  • You can drive yourself to and from treatments, unlike with Spravato or ketamine infusions
  • No dissociation or temporary disconnection from reality, as can occur with ketamine or Spravato
  • No hospitalization required
  • No adverse effects on cognition or memory
  • Few or no side effects; the most common is a mild headache or scalp discomfort, and fewer than 5% of patients discontinued treatment due to side effects
  • Patients do not have to stop taking medication to receive Deep TMS
  • FDA approved for major depressive disorder

Deep TMS is a thoughtful option for patients who have struggled to find relief through conventional approaches. To explore whether it is right for you, learn more about our broader Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation services, or read about specific applications such as TMS for Depression, TMS for Anxiety, TMS for Bipolar Depression, TMS for PTSD, and TMS for Migraines.

If you are ready to take the next step toward lasting relief, contact Houston West TMS today. Call (713) 464-4455 or request an appointment online to schedule your consultation with Dr. Drell.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Brainsway Deep TMS?

Brainsway Deep TMS is a noninvasive, FDA-cleared therapy that uses brief magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain associated with mood. It reaches deeper and broader brain regions than standard TMS, making it an effective option for treatment-resistant depression.

How is Deep TMS different from regular TMS?

Deep TMS uses a patented coil design that targets a broader and deeper area of the prefrontal brain region than conventional TMS. This increases the likelihood of reaching the correct area and has been shown in research to produce better response rates and greater reductions in depression severity.

How long does a Deep TMS session take?

The initial treatment session lasts approximately 60 minutes. Each subsequent daily session lasts about 30 minutes. Treatments are typically given Monday through Friday over a course of several weeks.

Does Deep TMS hurt?

Most patients tolerate Deep TMS very well. The most common side effects are a mild headache or scalp discomfort, which usually fade after the first few sessions. There is no anesthesia or sedation, and you remain awake and alert throughout.

Can I drive myself after a Deep TMS treatment?

Yes. Because Deep TMS is noninvasive and does not involve sedation, patients are able to drive themselves to and from each appointment and return to their normal activities right away.

Is Brainsway Deep TMS FDA approved?

Yes. The Brainsway Deep TMS system is FDA cleared for the treatment of depressive episodes in adults with major depressive disorder who have not achieved satisfactory improvement from prior antidepressant treatment.