Accelerated TMS: A Game-Changer for Depression Treatment in Los Angeles

Accelerated TMS: A Game-Changer for Depression Treatment in Los Angeles

Depression remains one of the most common and challenging mental health disorders in the United States, affecting millions of individuals and disrupting their quality of life. While medications and talk therapy are often the first lines of treatment, they are not always effective for everyone. For individuals struggling with treatment-resistant depression, a newer, innovative approach known as Accelerated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is offering new hope, especially for patients in Los Angeles and surrounding areas like Glendale, Burbank, and Pasadena.

What Is Accelerated TMS?

Accelerated TMS is an advanced form of TMS that condenses a full course of treatment into a much shorter timeframe. SAINT (Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy) is one version of accelerated TMS, which uses fcMRI (functional connectivity MRI) for targeting the best treatment location. Click here to learn more about NeoPsych’s unique version of functional connectivity TMS.

Traditional TMS therapy typically involves one session per day over four to six weeks. In contrast, Accelerated TMS delivers multiple sessions per day over just five consecutive days, allowing patients to experience potential relief from depressive symptoms far more quickly.

Unlike medications, which affect the entire body, TMS targets specific areas of the brain, particularly the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, that are underactive in individuals with depression. Using magnetic pulses, Accelerated TMS stimulates these regions, promoting healthier brain activity and mood regulation. Because it works directly on the brain’s circuitry, Accelerated TMS can be a more targeted, side-effect-free solution for many individuals.

How Accelerated TMS Works

During Accelerated TMS treatment, patients undergo 8 to 10 sessions per day, each lasting just a few minutes, spaced out over the course of a day. This approach is designed to optimize neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to reorganize and form new neural connections. By delivering repeated stimulation in a short period, Accelerated TMS encourages the brain to shift out of the patterns that contribute to chronic depression.

The treatment is non-invasive, requires no anesthesia, and does not involve systemic side effects such as weight gain, fatigue, or sexual dysfunction, common concerns associated with antidepressant medications. Most patients are awake, alert, and able to resume normal activities shortly after each session. This convenience makes it an appealing option for busy professionals or individuals seeking a faster path to mental wellness.

Clinical Evidence Supporting Accelerated TMS

Emerging research supports the efficacy of Accelerated TMS. A landmark study conducted at Stanford University demonstrated that nearly 90% of participants with treatment-resistant depression achieved remission within five days of Accelerated TMS treatment. Many maintained their improvements weeks and even months later, highlighting the long-term potential of this intensive neuromodulation approach.

While more studies are ongoing, these early results are encouraging and suggest that Accelerated TMS could represent a new frontier in the treatment of major depressive disorder.

Who Might Benefit from Accelerated TMS?

Accelerated TMS is particularly well-suited for individuals who:

• Have not found relief from multiple antidepressants or therapy

   

• Experience significant disruption in daily functioning due to depression

   

• Need a fast and effective treatment due to upcoming life events or occupational needs

   

• Prefer a non-medication, non-invasive treatment approach

   

Patients considering Accelerated TMS should undergo a comprehensive evaluation with a qualified provider to determine their eligibility and ensure the treatment protocol is customized to their unique brain physiology.

What to Expect from Treatment

At NeoPsych, patients begin with a detailed consultation that includes brain mapping and a review of mental health history. If deemed a good candidate, patients are scheduled for five days of treatment, typically Monday through Friday, with breaks between each session to rest and reset. Throughout the treatment, clinicians monitor progress and make adjustments as needed to maximize results.

While some patients begin to feel relief after just a couple of days, the full effects of Accelerated TMS often unfold gradually. Many report improvements in mood, energy, sleep, and cognitive function within the first week, with continued progress in the following weeks.

Why Los Angeles Patients Are Choosing NeoPsych for Accelerated TMS

Los Angeles is home to some of the nation’s most forward-thinking mental health clinics, and NeoPsych stands out for its commitment to evidence-based, personalized care. Led by Dr. Thomas Hughes, NeoPsych offers cutting-edge TMS therapy to patients from Los Angeles, Glendale, Burbank, and Pasadena who are seeking meaningful relief from depression.

NeoPsych provides a welcoming, professional environment where patients are treated with compassion and respect. With state-of-the-art Magstim equipment, NeoPsych ensures precision, safety, and comfort throughout every treatment session.

In addition to Accelerated TMS, NeoPsych offers traditional TMS and integrated mental health services to support long-term wellness. Patients benefit from a team approach that emphasizes education, collaboration, and continuity of care.

Take the Next Step

If you’ve tried antidepressants or therapy without success—or if you’re simply looking for a more efficient and effective treatment option—Accelerated TMS may be the solution you’ve been searching for. At NeoPsych, we’re here to help you reclaim your quality of life with cutting-edge care rooted in neuroscience.

Contact NeoPsych today to schedule your consultation and learn more about how Accelerated TMS can help you break free from depression.