TMS vs ECT

• it uses a much smaller electric current,
• It targets a specific part of the brain “Prefrontal Cortex”
• it does not induce seizures like ECT
• it does not need loss of consciousness
• You do not need to be sedated
  • before ECT is administered, a person is sedated with general anesthesia and given a muscle relaxant to prevent movement during the procedure
  • ECT is under supervision of anesthesiologist who monitors respirations, heart rate and blood pressure
• ECT have a recovery time, during which the patient feels groggy. It may last up to an hour.

Course of Treatment

ECT is usually give 2 or 3 times a week for total of 6 to 12 treatments. After that maintenance ECT is sometime needed to reduce the chance of depression to come back.  Frequently the person need antidepressant medication for maintenance therapy for Depression

rTMS or Repetitive Transcranial stimulation of brain is done five days a week for 4 to 6 weeks. The active treatment sessions are now 19 minutes long with advanced NeuroStar TMS. Like ECT the person needs antidepressant therapy post treatment.