If you or a loved one have experienced symptoms as a result of brain trauma, infection, toxic exposure, lack of sleep, stress, or addiction, there is promising new help available – no prescriptions or invasive procedures required! Read on to find out how MeRT Personalized TMS is changing the game for PTSD and brain health, and get Dr. Ellen Antoine’s answers to the most common questions.
One of the most promising new therapies for brain health doesn’t involve a prescription. It’s called Personalized TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation), and it’s shown remarkable results for patients with a variety of cognitive and emotional needs related to brain health, including:
Hear from our physicians firsthand with the answers to common patient questions about Personalized TMS to see if it’s right for you.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive therapy that uses gentle magnetic pulses to alter brainwaves. Repeated exposure to these magnetic waves over a period of weeks can reorganize cellular function in the brain with life-changing results.
We like to describe TMS as a sort of pacemaker for your brain. Patients with an abnormal heartbeat often receive a pacemaker that administers small electrical impulses to help stabilize and correct their heart rhythm. In the same way, TMS uses localized electrical impulses to alter the way messages travel from one part of the brain to another, correcting disruptions that cause a variety of challenging mental health conditions and neurological disorders.
Repetitive TMS was first used over 40 years ago and received FDA clearance in 2008 as a treatment option for serious depression that did not respond to medication. Since then, TMS has been further FDA cleared for patients with migraines with aura, OCD, or who need help to stop smoking.
While standard Repetitive TMS showed promising success, the results were limited by a one-size-fits-all approach. For instance, every patient who receives Repetitive TMS therapy for depression receives the same TMS treatment protocol, regardless of their specific brain function, medical history, or needs.
Imagine a patient has a cough – there are hundreds of reasons why that might happen. If we give every patient with a cough the exact same medication without any additional questions or scans, we’re going to miss some things, and that prescription might not help at all. In the same way, standard Repetitive TMS gives every patient with the same symptoms or diagnosis the same TMS therapy, without diving deeper into the root causes or their specific brain function.
Just like any medical therapy or medication, when one single treatment is used for every patient, there will always be patients who experience negative side effects or outcomes. For some people, Repetitive TMS is helpful; for others, it causes unwanted changes to moods or personality traits. That’s why we recommend Personalized TMS instead.
Personalized TMS is completely customized to each patient’s specific brain patterns and neuron function. Instead of using the same magnetic pulses for everyone who has the same symptoms or diagnosis, your Personalized TMS protocol is specific to your own brain waves.
Personalized TMS therapy starts with a painless scan called an EEG with ECG – that’s an electroencephalogram with electrocardiogram, and it’s used to map brain waves. Small sensors are placed across the patient’s scalp for 30-60 minutes to record their brain waves and heart rhythm.
The information this EEG with ECG provides is then analyzed by a specially trained neurologist. Based on the results, we create a customized TMS protocol designed specifically to address the disruptions shown in that EEG. Your practitioner will discuss the suggested TMS protocol with you and show you exactly which areas of the EEG report it’s designed to address.
Unlike traditional Repetitive TMS, MeRT Personalized TMS also fine-tunes each session. This results in higher precision, improved outcomes, and often a faster response to treatment. Many of our patients experience noticeable improvements within a few weeks.
At The Center for Fully Functional Health, we use the MeRT system for Personalized TMS. MeRT, or Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy, is unique because of its precision and the process used to analyze EEG results.
Each patient’s brainwave recording is processed by a neurologist against a database of 60,000+ other EEGs, offering deep insight about areas of the brain that are not functioning properly. By looking at the personal results of so many patients, the MeRT system can get incredibly detailed about which TMS might offer the most benefits for your specific brain waves or dysfunction. That helps us generate a specific care protocol and track each patient’s progress over time.
Think back to the analogy we used earlier: Imagine a patient comes in with a cough. What if we asked very detailed questions and did a state-of-the-art scan of their body to try to determine why they were coughing? Our treatment would be a lot more effective than when we gave everyone with a cough the same prescription.
Even better, what if we compared that coughing patient’s answers and scan results to more than 60,000 other patients who said they had a cough, and we noticed what worked best for others who had similar answers and scan results? Now we can offer a therapy that is not only targeted to that specific patient’s needs, but we also benefit from what we’ve learned from 60,000 other folks who got treated in a careful, customized way for their cough.
MeRT Personalized TMS offers those same advantages, and not surprisingly, the results of MeRT Personalized TMS protocols are the best in the industry.
MeRT has shown outstanding results in treating PTSD, depression, anxiety, traumatic brain injury (TBI), OCD, and other neurological conditions.
In recognition of its potential, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted MeRT a Breakthrough Device Designation for PTSD treatment. This designation aims to speed the development and review of therapies that offer significant advantages over existing options, underscoring MeRT’s promise as a transformative treatment for PTSD.
It’s an especially promising option for individuals struggling with post-traumatic stress who have not found relief with traditional therapies. Clinical trials with veterans were incredibly successful, and we are hopeful that Personalized TMS will become more widely offered and accepted as a primary treatment for PTSD.
First, it’s important to understand what defines posttraumatic stress and how it affects your brain. PTSD is essentially a maladaptive response where the brain stays stuck in survival mode. Because the fear circuits remain overactivated, the body and mind continue reacting to trauma as if it’s still happening, even after the individual is safe.
Research has shown several areas of the brian are involved, including the amygdala, where your body triggers the fight-or-flight response, and the prefrontal cortex, which helps regulate your emotions and limit fear responses that are no longer needed.
In PTSD, experiences or memories get stuck in an overstimulated amygdala, and the prefrontal cortex is underactive. As a result, people suffering from PTSD experience anxiety and hypervigilance. Their prefrontal cortex struggles to shut down excessive fear responses, leading to persistent distress and difficulty distinguishing between real danger and perceived threats.
Another part of the brain called the hippocampus suffers as a result. The hippocampus is where we store memories, and it’s how we can tell when an event was in the past and doesn’t need to make us feel scared or worried anymore. The hippocampus actually physically shrinks in people with PTSD, because their traumatic experiences feel like they're always happening. That’s why a lot of patients with PTSD report flashbacks or intrusive memories that take them right back to the moments of their trauma.
MeRT Personalized TMS identifies abnormal brainwave patterns associated with PTSD and delivers personalized magnetic pulses to help restore normal neural function. Now the areas of the brain can communicate with each other again, instead of the amygdala doing all the heavy lifting. Patients often report improvements in their sleep quality, emotional regulation, and overall well-being after treatment.
MeRT Personalized TMS is a non-invasive and drug-free treatment with a strong safety profile. Side effects are minimal, with the most common being mild headaches or temporary fatigue after sessions. Our team closely monitors each patient’s progress to ensure a safe and effective experience.
It’s important to note that Personalized TMS won’t be right for everyone. Patients with implanted metallic devices (like pacemakers) or a history of seizures may not be candidates for this therapy. A thorough evaluation is conducted before any treatment to ensure that MeRT is safe and appropriate for each patient.
MeRT is painless and comfortable. During a session, patients sit in a relaxed position while Personalized TMS is administered via a special device placed near the forehead. Each session lasts about 30 minutes, and there is typically no discomfort beyond a mild tapping or flicking sensation on the scalp. There is no downtime, so patients can return to their normal activities immediately afterward.
Personalized TMS sessions are scheduled every weekday, Monday through Friday, for 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the goals and level of intervention required. Every 2 weeks of the TMS protocol, we will repeat the EEG with ECG to evaluate progress and make changes as needed.
Many patients begin noticing changes within the first few weeks of treatment. Improvements in sleep, mood, focus, and cognitive function often occur early in the process. However, the duration of treatment varies based on individual needs, and we typically recommend an initial course of 4-8 weeks for optimal results.
Absolutely! In fact, we recommend it. Personalized TMS fits seamlessly into a holistic functional medicine approach. We often combine MeRT with nutritional support, lifestyle modifications, supplementation, and other integrative therapies to enhance overall brain health and well-being.
We first encountered MeRT through a Wave Neuro demonstration at a national functional medicine conference in 2024, where each of our physicians had our EEGs done and consulted with their doctor. We already knew that optimal brain function has a significant impact on overall health, but seeing our own EEGs and receiving personalized recommendations was eye-opening.
At The Center for Fully Functional Health, everything we do is personalized, with a focus on addressing underlying root issues. In our many years of experience, we have found that some patients continue to experience symptoms despite improving their diet, changing their lifestyle, optimizing detoxification, and incorporating supplements and ancillary services. We believe that disorganized brain wave function is often the missing piece, and we’re excited to offer MeRT Personalized TMS as a noninvasive, effective treatment to help these individuals live Fully Functional for life.
If you haven’t worked with a Functional Medicine physician yet or are struggling to get started due to mental or physical health concerns, MeRT can be a great place to start. Optimizing your brain activity with Personalized TMS can provide the boost you need to see quick improvements and set you on the path to better health.
If you or a loved one is struggling with PTSD, depression, anxiety, or other neurological challenges and haven’t found relief with traditional treatments, MeRT may be an excellent option. Personalized TMS has also shown impressive results for patients suffering from brain fog or cognitive decline as a result of injury, infections, autoimmune issues, or strokes, as well as helping with unwanted symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders.
The first step is to schedule an EEG with ECG brain scan to determine if you are a good candidate for this therapy. During this visit, we’ll conduct an initial assessment, review your medical history, and discuss your symptoms and goals. If MeRT is a good fit for you, we’ll create a personalized treatment plan to help you achieve the best possible results.
One of our patients, whom we’ll call Sarah, came to us struggling with severe anxiety and brain fog after a traumatic brain injury. Despite trying various therapies, Sarah’s symptoms persisted, making it difficult for her to function in daily life. She was discouraged and beginning to lose hope that she would find a new normal.
After undergoing MeRT therapy at our practice, Sarah noticed a significant reduction in her anxiety levels and a marked improvement in her cognitive clarity. She now enjoys a better quality of life and can focus on her work and family with renewed energy and confidence. Stories like Sarah’s are why we are so passionate about offering MeRT Personalized TMS to our patients. It’s not just about symptom management – it’s about restoring lives.
Are you ready to experience the benefits of MeRT for yourself? Contact us today by filling out the form below or calling (317) 989-8463 to learn more about how this innovative treatment can support your brain health and overall well-being.
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The Center for Fully Functional Health® is led by a team of award-winning, internationally recognized physicians, committed to providing personalized, life-changing care.
