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What is the efficacy of noninvasive brain stimulation in treating neuropsychiatric disorder?

I am a psychiatrist in New York and have been reading more and more about tDCS, TMS, and other noninvasive brain stimulation. I have some patients with severe neuropsychiatric disorders, particularly depression and dystonia. What can you tell me about the efficacy of this treatment for their conditions? I have found some papers on the topic but was wondering if anyone has personal experience using this treatment.
57 yr old, Female
57 yr old, Female
asked Jun 06, 2009 at 01:02PM in Neurology/Brain Disorders
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    answered Oct 24, 2009 at 07:32AM
    Not quite sure doing this correctly. However, in an attempt to help with your question I can say that TMS is a working method when dealing mainly with moderate depression. Coincidently, and oddly actually, the big related science news of the past week has been that a number of universities as well as private enterprises have come out with some 'fan fair' concerning the fact that they have 'discovered' the abilities of ultrasound to penetrate the human skull resulting in notable assistance toward multiple brain difficulties. The facts of the matter are even more positive than that. The process is called 'electromagnetic brain animation'. An EBA generator was designed and [invented] by the Behavior Research Institute way back in 2003. To this date, following 22 successful clinical trials, a completely finished working model will be introduced to the mental health field in early 2010. Also, this may be a little dismaying to those making all these 'fan fair' announcements; but BRI along with its medical director, William Rogers, own all patent use rights, licenses and accessory allowances required by all governmental bodies overseeing such instrumentation. It's important that this is known but it is secondary right now as far as we are concerned. They will be made aware soon enough. However, the great thing is there is now coming to the fore an ability to help those with crushing mental difficulties and the potential degree of help is truly seminal in scope. Relief is on the way and I do not believe it to be out of order to say treatment for the public population may begin before the year 2010 is completed.
  • 1
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    answered Dec 04, 2009 at 12:55AM
    Has it been shown to be effective in treating schizophrenia? If so, would it be a replacement for anitspychotics or an adjunct, allowing people to take less antipsychotics?
  • 1
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    answered Dec 04, 2009 at 05:12PM
    At this current time non-invasive brain animation is concentrating its efforts toward the lessening or alleviation of such mental disabilities as depression, ADD, mild forms of memory loss, retardation and autism. There have been successful clinical trials relating to all of those mentioned. However, concerning psychosis, altered reality, hallucinations, delusions, etc., Being that the process of 'electromagnetic brain animation', for example, basically calls for beaming a combination of ultrasound and electromagnetism through the skull and onto a predetermined area of the brain that we know is causing the difficulties; there is no actual reason why it would not work concerning psychosis. As far as I know that particular mental malady has not been broached as of yet; but I'm fairly sure that it will be soon.
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