HEALTH & LIFESTYLE Can magnetic fields help the fight against depression?

TRIED

Transcranial magnetic stimulation, which uses magnetic fields to treat clinical depression, is rapidly gaining popularity in the UK. During Mental Health Awareness Week (May 8-14), finds out more electrical circuits in the brain, affecting only a tiny area. The region of the brain targeted depends on the condition being treated – for depression, it’s the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), where there’s reduced activity in people with the condition.

Although deeper parts of the brain are also involved in depression, all the areas are connected and the DLPFC is the only accessible part.

“Scans find that the beneficial effects of TMS propagate through to the deeper areas, so all the depression circuit is beneficially affected,” says Dr Neal, who explains the electrical stimulation causes changes within the brain related to chemicals and neuroplasticity (the ability of neurons to connect to each other).

“It causes more connectivity between nerves in the brain, an increase in the amount of neural activity, and an increase in the amount of neurotransmitters like serotonin.”

One treatment lasts about 40 minutes, and is given daily for between 10 and 30 sessions. TMS was approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for the treatment of depression in December 2015.

It’s not considered a treatment for temporary low mood, however; rather clinical depression diagnosed by a GP or psychiatrist, and mainly for people who’ve had at least two courses of antidepressants (NICE recommends patients are offered treatment such as CBT and/or antidepressants first).

It’s not suitable for everybody – people who have metal in their head for instance, such as metal clips after brain surgery, can’t have TMS – but side-effects are believed to be minimal.

Dr Neal says the treatment creates “a funny electrical feeling” on the scalp, which quickly becomes virtually unnoticeable.

There’s a very slight risk of convulsions (the equivalent to one in 30,000 TMS sessions), and a small possibility of some discomfort such as a headache at the treatment site, felt by 5-10% of patients.

Currently, it’s only available on the NHS in Northampton, though other NHS Trusts are considering introducing it.

There are three private clinics in London that offer it (for around £200 a session), and a handful scattered around the UK. ANY effect of TMS on depression is gradual, and Dr Neal admits there are some people for whom it doesn’t work at all.

However, trials show a recovery or remission rate after TMS of 30-40%, and another 30% get a substantial reduction in symptoms.

“So you’re talking about 60-70% getting some beneficial effect, and