How soon can I start treatment?

Because we don’t have to wait for insurance approval, you can begin treatment as soon as we have an availability. This is typically less than one week from inquiry to service.

Is TMS related to electroshock therapy?

Not at all. TMS uses a different technology than electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) — colloquially known as electroshock therapy. ECT actually runs electricity across the head, which intentionally causes small seizures in the brain. TMS, however, produces magnetic fields aimed at specific areas of the brain, in order to strengthen them, not to cause seizures.

How does TMS work?

TMS is noninvasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate the brain and improve symptoms of depression. TMS activates regions of the brain that have decreased activity in depression, and strengthens them. This strengthening allows the brain to more effectively inhibit emotional circuitry. It has been cleared by the FDA to treat depression since 2008. A remarkable 2 out of 3 patients respond to TMS treatment, while 1 out of 3 achieve remission (symptom-free).

Note that this is a completely different technology from electroconvulsive therapy; no electric current flows into the brain from the TMS device.

How long does TMS take?

During each TMS session, you'll sit in a comfortable chair while a paddle is placed on your forehead. During treatment, you will hear a tapping or clicking sound that usually lasts for a few seconds, followed by a pause. You'll also feel a tapping sensation on your forehead. Each of these sessions will last 5-10 minutes. An entire TMS course is 40 sessions, which we spread across 5 days. Each day's treatment lasts about 8 hours because although each session is only up to 10 minutes, we need to wait 1 hour until we can begin the next session. In the intervening 50 minutes, you may do as you like.

Where is the treatment done?

The procedure is either performed as concierge medicine at your residence, or in a local facility.

Who does the treatment?

The physician indicates the details of TMS delivery in their prescription note. TMS delivery is facilitated by a trained & certified TMS technician. The prescribing provider may be virtually present, as needed.

Does TMS cause seizures?

Seizures from TMS are extraordinarily rare and non-life-threatening. In fact, seizures are less likely from TMS than from the common antidepressant, Wellbutrin.

What are the side-effects?

While TMS generally has a much more favorable side effect profile than antidepressants, it's important that you are aware of them. The most common side effects are headaches or scalp discomfort in the treatment area. We recommend having an over-the-counter pain reliever available (e.g. aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen). You also may experience tiredness after treatment, and patients often report sleeping longer and deeper than their normal sleep pattern.

What’s accelerated TMS?

TMS was classically administered only once per day. Research has now conclusively shown treatment several times per day is significantly more effective in getting people into remission from depression. Administering several sessions per day is referred to as ‘accelerated’. Ampa no longer offers the once-per-day option of TMS, as we believe it’s worse on all factors.

Why don’t you accept insurance?

Insurer’s have created numerous restrictions before agreeing to authorize TMS. We believe these requirements stop patients who would benefit from TMS from receiving it. For those who do eventually receive authorization, this slow approval process lengthens how long until patients finally receive treatment. Here are a few of the requirements:

1. Insurer’s require that patients first try and don’t show improvement on up to four antidepressants and talk therapy. For people who don’t want to be on meds, this is a non-starter.

2. Insurer’s will not authorize TMS for patients who suffer from bipolar depression.

3. Insurer’s will only authorize TMS for legal adults (> 18 years old).

4. Insurer’s will only authorize one treatment session per day. This elongates a full-course of TMS to last over 7 weeks, and likely reduces the efficacy of the treatment.

Additionally, we save from not having personnel dedicated to contesting authorization-denials with insurers, and pass those savings onto you.

Why are we called Ampa?

In order to change your experience of the world, your brain activity needs to change. The most common way this neuromodulation happens in the long-term is not by adding new neurons (a type of brain cell). Instead, it's by modifying the strength of the connections between neurons. The principal way to strengthen a connection between two neurons is via a particular receptor on one of the cells. Changing the number of these receptors or how strong these receptors are is what causes long-term changes in our brain activity. The name of this receptor is the ampa receptor. These receptors are ultimately how TMS improves people's lives — by restoring a more healthy balance of brain activity.