A Proven and Safe Depression Treatment Available for Patients Struggling to Overcome Depression

Dear Colleague, 

Major Depressive Disorder is estimated to affect roughly 13.3 million adults in the United States^1,2. While medication can be helpful in managing its symptoms, millions of depression sufferers are experiencing intolerable side effects from current therapies without receiving an adequate benefit. These clients are looking for effective alternatives. 

Our team of mental health professionals at Central Iowa Psychological Services is focused on effectively treating this client population. As such, we are writing to introduce you to a new tool in our psychiatric intervention treatment program – NeuroStar Advanced Therapy® - a form of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). NeuroStar Advanced Therapy is a non-drug depression therapy that is proven safe and effective across a broad range patients experiencing treatment-resistant depression or depression with suicidal ideation. 

NeuroStar Advanced Therapy® uses a patented iron core coil technology to produce a highly focused MRI-strength pulsed magnetic field. When this magnetic pulse is directed to the prefrontal cortex, it stimulates local cortical neurons and affects the modulation of deep brain regions associated with mood².  Treatment is prescribed for 4-6 weeks, 5 days a week. Each treatment lasts between 19 and 37 minutes;  patients are awake, alert, and able to resume normal activities immediately after treatment. 

NeuroStar Advanced Therapy is backed by the largest clinical data set of any TMS Therapy device in the treatment of depression, spanning 11 studies with 900 patients and 23 peer-reviewed publications.

NeuroStar Advanced Therapy is effective and durable as shown in a Multi-Site Outcomes Study^{3, 4} 

• 1 in 2 patients responded to TMS treatment (a 50% reduction in standardized depression scales)
• 1 in 3 patients reached remission (a standardized depression scale rating below 3 for two weeks in a row)
• The only TMS System with lasting therapeutic impact demonstrated over 12 months³ 

Proven Safety and Patient Tolerability Profile 

● Approximately 5% discontinuation rate due to adverse events^{4 (}compared to a discontinuation rate as high as 44% for oral antidepressants)

● Avoids the side effects commonly associated with antidepressant medications 

● Post-marketing experience confirms that seizure risk is very rare (<0.1% per patient)⁵ 

This proven and safe treatment option may be right for your clients struggling with depression. Our team would enjoy the opportunity to discuss the ideal NeuroStar Advanced Therapy candidate with you. Please contact our office at 515-981-6958. 

Sincerely, 

Warren Phillips, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist

Sarah Schuller, ARNP, Director of Nursing and Psychiatric Services

NeuroStar TMS Therapy^®is indicated for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder in adult patients who have failed to receive satisfactory improvement from prior antidepressant medication in the current episode. 

In an NIMH-funded, independent, randomized controlled trial, patients treated with TMS using the NeuroStar TMS System were four times more likely to achieve remission compared to patients receiving sham treatment (P = 0.0173; odds rao = 4.05)⁶. 

The most common side effect is temporary pain or discomfort at the treatment site⁷. 

Long-term durability of effect has not been established in a randomized controlled trial. Trial design used physician standard of care. 

References:

1) https://facinder.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/index.xhtml, accessed 1/16/2018

[1] [2] 2) Kessler RC et al. (2003). The Epidemiology of Major Depressive Disorder. Results From the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R). JAMA. 289(23):3095-3105.doi:10.1001.

3) Liston, C, et. al. (2014). Default mode network mechanisms of transcranial magnetic stimulation in depression. Biological Psychiatry, 76 (7), 517-526.

4) Dunner, D.L., et al., (2014).  A multisite, naturalistic, observational study of transcranial magnetic stimulation for patients with pharmacoresistant major depressive disorder: durability of benefit over a 1-year follow-up period. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 75 (12). 1394-1401.

5) Janicak, P.G., et al. (2008). Transcranial magnetic stimulation in the treatment of major depressive disorder: a comprehensive summary of safety experience from acute exposure, extended exposure, and during reintroduction treatment. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 69 (2), 222-232

6) Neuronetics, Inc. Data on File. 

7) George, M.S., et al. (2010). Daily left prefrontal transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy for major depressive disorder: a sham-controlled randomized trial. Archives of General Psychiatry. 67 (5), 507-516.

Let's give the full reference for these

I've looked up and typed out the correct references for the article here. However, the last reference was a repeat so I've deleted it AND the first reference I cannot find. It does not show up in searches. If we can find it that's great. If not, then delete it here, renumber these, and renumber them in the letter itself and then this will be ready to go.

Thanks,

Warren