Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Advanced Brain Stimulation for
Treatment-Resistant Conditions

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive, FDA-cleared treatment that uses focused magnetic pulses to stimulate the regions of the brain involved in mood regulation. For many people with depression that hasn’t responded to medication, TMS opens a path forward without systemic medication side effects, and without anesthesia or downtime. Like other innovative interventional approaches, TMS opens a neuroplastic window that facilitates emotional healing.

At The Krasner Institute, TMS is never a procedure delivered in isolation. Every course begins with a thorough assessment, is matched to the right protocol, and is coordinated with your ongoing psychiatric and psychotherapeutic care. The treatment is embedded in a relationship, not bolted on beside it.

The Science: How TMS Works Differently

  • Precision Targeting: TMS uses advanced brain mapping to target the exact areas of your brain that need stimulation, particularly the left prefrontal cortex, which is often underactive in depression.
  • Non-Invasive and Medication-Free: Unlike psychiatric medications that circulate throughout your body, TMS affects only the targeted brain areas with no systemic side effects. There’s no sedation, memory loss, or need for anesthesia.
  • Neuroplasticity Enhancement: The magnetic stimulation promotes the growth of new neural connections and strengthens existing pathways, creating lasting changes in brain function that persist beyond the treatment period.
  • Research Evidence: Clinical studies demonstrate that approximately 90% of patients with treatment-resistant depression experience significant improvement with TMS therapy, with many achieving complete remission of symptoms.

Our Approach: What Makes TMS at Krasner Institute Different

  • FDA-cleared for adolescents and adults. We offer TMS for adolescent depression, an FDA-cleared indication, as well as for adults, with specialized protocols for depression and OCD.
  • Two platforms under one roof. We operate both the MagVenture and BrainsWay systems, which lets us match the device and protocol to the clinical picture rather than fitting every patient to a single machine.
  • Accelerated options where appropriate. For some patients, accelerated protocols are preferred over a standard daily course. Suitability is determined clinically, case by case.
  • Our technicians have psychotherapy backgrounds. This is deliberate and reflects our conviction that healing happens in relationship, even during a TMS treatment course.
  • Integrated, measurement-based care. Your TMS course is coordinated with your prescriber and therapist and tracked with standardized measures, so progress is visible and the plan adapts.

What to Expect During Treatment

  • During Treatment: You’ll sit comfortably in a chair while the TMS device delivers gentle magnetic pulses to your scalp. Most patients describe the sensation as light tapping. You remain fully awake and alert throughout the session, and can read, listen to music, or talk with our staff.
  • Session Details: Each treatment takes less than 20 minutes, and you can drive yourself to and from appointments. There’s no recovery time needed—you can return to work or normal activities immediately after each session.
  • Treatment Course: Most patients complete 36 sessions over 6-9 weeks (typically 5 sessions per week initially, then tapering). Some patients benefit from our accelerated protocols which can achieve results more quickly.

Standard and Accelerated TMS

  • Standard Protocol: Traditional TMS delivered over 6-9 weeks with sessions Monday through Friday, allowing gradual but steady improvement in brain function.
  • Accelerated Protocol: Intensive TMS treatment delivered over shorter timeframes for patients who need more rapid relief or have scheduling constraints. As leaders in interventional psychiatry, we are also pioneering the use of highly compressed protocols, including one-week and even single-day treatments, when clinically appropriate. This cutting-edge approach delivers a full course of care in a fraction of the time, providing rapid relief from severe depression.
  • Monitoring and Adjustment: We continuously track your progress using validated assessment tools and adjust treatment parameters to optimize your response throughout the course of therapy.

Conditions We Treat with TMS

  • Treatment-resistant depression (failed 2+ antidepressant trials)
  • Major depressive disorder with suicidal ideation
  • Adolescent Depression
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Generalized anxiety disorder
  • Panic disorder
  • Off-label specialized treatment plans for specific neuropsychiatric conditions

TMS is available for patients 15 years and older, with specialized protocols for different age groups and conditions.

Safety and Side Effects

  • Excellent Safety Profile: TMS has been extensively studied and used safely in clinical practice for over two decades. Serious side effects are extremely rare when proper protocols are followed.
  • Common Side Effects: The most frequent side effect is mild scalp discomfort or light headache during or immediately after treatment, which typically resolves after the first few sessions as patients adjust to the sensation.
  • Medical Monitoring: Each patient undergoes comprehensive medical screening before treatment, and we monitor your response and comfort level throughout every session to ensure optimal safety and effectiveness.

Enhancing Neuroplasticity: The D-cycloserine Advantage

At our practice, we don’t just treat symptoms—we focus on creating lasting change in the brain. We are one of the few practices pioneering the use of D-cycloserine (DCS), an adjunctive medication that enhances the neuroplasticity effects of TMS. Paired with our TMS protocols, DCS works to strengthen new neural connections, which may lead to faster, more robust, and more enduring improvements. This collaborative approach, which we call Assess. Treat. Plan., is designed to not only bring relief but also to help you build a more resilient brain for the future.

Ready to Explore Your Options?

You’ve shown incredible courage continuing to seek help. That persistence deserves an approach as dedicated as your efforts have been.

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Serving Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey with advanced depression treatment options.