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Treatment-Resistant Depression Program

The following treatments for treatment-resistant depression are offered at our FIU Health facility on FIU's main campus.

Choosing the right treatment approach under a doctor's care should be based on the medical indication and a person's individual needs. To schedule an appointment or request a consultation for more information on available treatments, please contact us at 305-348-3627 (305-FIU-DOCS).

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)

Brain stimulation therapies play a role in treating certain mental disorders. And Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is one of the best-studied brain stimulation treatments.

The MagVita TMS Therapy, which is FDA-cleared for depression. The treatments can be administered alone or in addition to medication and psychotherapy. You can learn more about how rTMS works in this article by Dr. Patricia Junquera.

Image of Dr. Patricia Junquera operating rTMS machine
  • How does rTMS work?

    A typical rTMS session lasts 20 to 40 minutes. Since this is a non-invasive procedure (no surgery is needed) and does not require anesthesia or sedation, the patient remains awake and alert during the procedure.

    During the procedure:

    • An electromagnetic coil is positioned over the scalp, near an area of the brain that is thought to be involved in mood regulation.
    • Then, short electromagnetic pulses are administered through the coil. The magnetic pulses easily pass through the skull, and cause small electrical currents that stimulate nerve cells in the targeted brain region.
    • The magnetic field is about the same strength as that of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. Generally, the person feels a slight knocking or tapping on the head as the pulses are administered.
  • Possible Side Effects

    Sometimes a person may have discomfort at the site on the head where the magnet is placed. The muscles of the scalp, jaw or face may contract or tingle during the procedure. Mild headaches or brief lightheadedness may result. It is also possible that the procedure could cause a seizure, although this is very uncommon. Two large-scale studies on the safety of rTMS found that most side effects, such as headaches or scalp discomfort, were mild or moderate. However, because the treatment is relatively new, there is no knowledge about any long-term side effects.

  • TMS Referral Form

    If you are interested in rTMS, download the TMS Referral form and take it with you to your next appointment.

SPRAVATO® (esketamine)

SPRAVATO is an FDA-approved nasal spray treatment for resistant depression. This treatment method can be administered alone or in addition to medication and psychotherapy.

Image of SPRAVATO nasal spray

Consultation

Before choosing a treatment, remember that every patient is unique and experiences different symptoms of depression. It is important to schedule a consultation with one of our board-certified psychiatrists to establish a treatment plan that is right for you.

For a clinical evaluation, please call FIU Health at 305-348-3627 (305-FIU-DOCS)