When is NeuroStar TMS Indicated?

When is NeuroStar TMS Indicated?

KEY FINDINGS FROM THE LARGEST EVER NIMH DEPRESSION TREATMENT STUDY

•The NIMH-funded Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression (STAR*D) Study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of different treatments for people with major depression who have not responded to initial treatment with an antidepressant.1

• The outcome measure was a “remission” of depressive symptoms—becoming symptom-free. This outcome was selected because people who reach this goal generally function better socially and at work, and have a better chance of staying well than do people who only achieve a response but not a remission. 2

• With 4,041 adult outpatients from 41 clinical sites around the country, over a 7 year period, STAR*D is the largest and longest study ever conducted to evaluate depression treatment.3

• Significantly, STAR*D found that the likelihood of achieving remission on the 3rd or 4th medication is <25%.  4

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for major depressive disorder (MDD) in patients who have not responded to 1 adequate antidepressant trial in the current episode. 6

(1) https://www.nimh.nih.gov/funding/clinical-research/practical/stard/ (2) https://www.nimh.nih.gov/funding/clinical-research/practical/stard/allmedicationlevels (3) Ibid. (4) Ibid. (5) HAMD 17, also known as the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), is a widely used 17 question clinician-administered depression assessment scale (6) O’Reardon et al., 2012 Apr, PMID: 22579164