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Deep TMS effective for treatment-resistant depression in elderly
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Brainsway recently announced positive study findings for deep transcranial magnetic stimulation for treatment-resistant depression in elderly adults.
“Depression rates in the elderly are increasing; current data suggests that over 2 million elderly Americans suffer from some form of depression, and that number is on the rise,” Aron Tendler, MD, chief medical officer of Brainsway, said in a press release. “This study brings hope to even the most challenging of depressed populations.”
To assess efficacy of deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for treatment-resistant depression in the elderly, researchers conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled study among 52 individuals aged 60 years and older. Study participants received a patented Brainsway coil designed to stimulate the dorsolateral and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex.
Fifty percent of participants who received deep TMS achieved full remission, compared with 16% who received placebo.
The study design has not been cleared by the FDA and differs from Brainsway’s cleared depression protocol, according to the release. However, no significant adverse events have been reported by study participants.