In recent years, the non-invasive neurostimulation treatment, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, or ‘TMS’, has been gaining recognition as a viable and evidence-based medical alternative for patients suffering Depression who are not responding adequately to first line treatments, such as medication. The benefits of this treatment and how to best apply it, is being validated now in elderly populations.
Dr. Albino Oliveira-Maia, researcher, and director at NOVA Medical School in Portugal, runs a clinical unit focused on providing innovative mental health treatments for cancer patients and patients with Depression and OCD who have not been helped by other methods. Here they provide TMS in combination with other treatments and explore the positive effects and outcomes in a wide-ranging patient population, including those in geriatric care.
neurocare’s Dr Trevor Brown speaks with Dr Oliveira-Maia to learn more about his research and outlook for TMS and how the method can be improved and better utilized, such as the effects of ‘maintenance’ sessions and how well TMS works in elderly.
Albino is very active in pushing for TMS and other anti-depressant treatments to become part of standard care and discusses the current limitations of mental health care in Portugal and Europe at large, and how they can be improved.
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This interview may interest researchers, scientists, clinicians, and students working or studying in the field of mental healthcare. Although the conversation here centers around more scientific concepts, it may also interest a wider audience interested in learning more about the treatment approach of TMS in depression. (Medical interventions such as TMS should first be discussed with your GP.)
Are you a professional interested in using TMS in your own practice or research? Get started with neurocare's professional online course rTMS in Depression, OCD & New Developments and take the first step towards certification.
