Need a Lift out of the Fog?
A New Approach to Addressing Depression
This FDA-cleared treatment for Depression and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), now available in San Diego, is Drug-Free and Non-invasive.
It’s called MeRT, or Magnetic Resonance Therapy.
Simply stated we use a magnetic field to stimulate and balance brain function, guided by very sophisticated imaging and diagnostics.
The MeRT Approach to Depression
The MeRT Approach to DepressionWe know Depression is hard and it can affect people of all ages.
We have some idea of how you are feeling and we know how hard it can be. For some, medications can help. But some don’t respond as well, or can’t handle the side-effects, or just don’t like having to take them. For those reasons and many more, we offer an entirely different approach to treating Depression. It’s non-invasive, drug-free, and lasting. There is hope.
Call Our New Patient Coordinator to Learn More
(619) 255-2101
Or fill in the form below and she will contact you.
Depression Comes in Many Forms
Symptoms of Depression
Depression, also called Clinical Depression or Major Depressive Disorder, can have a range of symptoms and degrees of severity for different people. These can include:
- Feeling overwhelmingly sad or hopeless
- Trouble completing everyday activities
- Emotional swings or outbursts
- Weight loss or weight gain
- Irritability or Agitation
- Performance issues with work or study
- Low self-esteem
- Lack of interest in social activities, relationships, or work
- Feelings of isolation
- Extreme physical and/or mental fatigue
- Sleeping too little, sleeping too much, or other sleep issues
- Difficulty concentrating or remembering things
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Dwelling on failures or past events
- Headaches
- Thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts
An Entirely New Approach
MeRT for Treatment of Depression
Simply stated, MeRT uses magnetic fields to stimulate and balance brain function, guided by sophisticated imaging and diagnostics.
Patients with depression have a few markers which can be clearly seen in EEG studies. In essence, these studies show an imbalance in brainwave activity between the left and the right hemispheres of the brain, known as asymmetry.
With MeRT, we work to identify these asymmetries and strengthen healthy brainwave activity to reduce the symptoms of depression for the patient.
BTC Patient: “I couldn’t believe I had spent so many years feeling that way.”
BTC Patient: “I couldn’t believe I had spent so many years feeling that way.”“For me, depression was the constant feeling of: ‘I want to quit’ and retreat to my home, except I would already be home… MeRT helped me shed this feeling in less than two weeks. I couldn’t believe I had spent so many years feeling that way.”
Call Our New Patient Coordinator to Learn More
(619) 255-2101
Or fill in the form below and she will contact you.
“Everyone experiences their world a little bit differently.”
“EEGs (electrical pictures of the brain) can tell us when there are abnormalities in neural networks. … And we run that data through a normative database, and we can see, for example, if somebody has an area in the left prefrontal cortex that’s cycling at two Hertz — which means that they may be only processing information two times per second — whereas the rest of their brain may be cycling 11 times per second. That information mismatch may manifest for somebody who has depression. They may lack motivation, feel lethargic, not want to get out of bed.”
But in a different scenario… let’s say it is the visual cortex that’s cycling now at 30 times per second. If you’re scanning your environment 30 times per second, but [are] only able to process it 10 or 11 times per second, this information overload may manifest as anxiety. And it’s not a one-to-one correlation. Everyone experiences their world a little bit differently.
We can look at these signals and find areas that are abnormal, [then we] use this FDA cleared technology, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, to navigate to the area that’s not working properly and try to stimulate it and remind it that it wants to fire at a certain frequency and a certain rate.”
– Dr. Erik Won, President of Wave Neuroscience, from his appearance on the Broken Brain podcast
Non-invasive and Drug-Free
Non-invasive and Drug-FreeWhat is MeRT?
MeRT stands for Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy. It is a tailored, highly individualized form of TMS or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. In simpler terms, we use magnetic waves to stimulate specifically targeted areas of the brain that have been found to not be communicating or functioning optimally.
This is determined through sophisticated diagnostic tools and imaging and is used to plan a tailored treatment approach just for you.
How Do I know…
Is MeRT the Right Treatment?
We understand MeRT is a relatively new treatment, and you may not be sure if this is right for your situation. However, this is not a decision you have to make right away or all alone.
Your first step is a simple phone consultation with our New Patient Coordinator. During this free, no-obligation consultation, you can discuss symptoms and history, ask all the questions you want, and have her explain the protocols and fees. She can also further explain the treatment itself.
Once you’ve had your consultation, if you are interested in taking the next step, we can set up an appointment for a qEEG (a simple, painless, and non-invasive brain scan).
EEG/EKG Testing
When you come in for your first appointment, we will perform the qEEG and EKG as mentioned above in the Treatment Overview section. These tests will help us evaluate brain activity and show us any dysfunction. The qEEG, or brain mapping, is a valuable tool as lets us customize treatment for YOU.
The qEEG/EKG testing is performed by our chief neurotechnician and takes approximately 45 minutes. However, if you are seeking treatment for your child with autism, please plan on spending an hour with us.
We will also gather your new patient paperwork at this time, and get you scheduled for your initial assessment period of treatment.
Clinical Evaluation and Consultation
Following the testing, your second appointment will be a clinical evaluation with Kate Ryan, R.N., which takes approximately 45 minutes. You can have this appointment via Telemedicine or in-clinic, whichever you prefer. Please note that if you choose a Telemedicine appointment and are seeking treatment for your child, your child will need to be present.
During this consultation, Kate will answer all your questions and discuss your applicable treatment plan. You will also have an opportunity to meet with our physician and Medical Director, Julie Kim, M.D.
Assessment Period
Six weeks of treatment is recommended for patients undergoing MeRT in order to achieve optimal and long-lasting results. However, prior to committing to the six weeks, we have each patient first go through an assessment period of treatment to see how they will respond. This assessment period is included in the six weeks of treatment.
The assessment is two weeks long. It consists of nine treatment sessions followed by a repeat qEEG. Treatment would be provided the first week, Monday through Friday, and the following week, Monday through Thursday. A typical treatment session lasts about 30-45 minutes.
Additionally, the follow-up qEEG results will be covered with you by your provider.
If clinical changes are occurring as they should, and the qEEG also shows progress, then you would then continue treatment which would occur five days per week, Monday through Friday. Generally, you will begin to feel the benefits of treatment within a week or two, but because treatment is cumulative, should continue to note improvements throughout the course of your treatment, and even for some weeks after treatment. Because treatment is consecutive, you must be able to stay in or around the area while undergoing your therapy.
Continuing Treatment
If clinical changes are occurring as they should and the qEEG also shows progress, you will then continue treatment. This ongoing treatment occurs five days per week, Monday through Friday. You should start to feel the benefits of treatment within a week or two, but because treatment is cumulative, you should continue to note improvements throughout the course of your treatment, and even for some weeks afterward. Additionally, because we perform treatment on consecutive days, you must be able to stay in or around the San Diego area while undergoing your therapy.
Because each person’s brain and condition are unique, we customize treatment protocols specifically for each patient, guided by the qEEG results. And repeat qEEGs and clinical consultations occur every two weeks throughout treatment.
As a note, the potential side-effects of treatment are minimal and should begin to dissipate as you progress through treatment. Moreover, the effects of treatment generally last a lifetime, though some patients prefer occasional follow-up treatment as needed.
It is important to note that improvements and results of MeRT are based on strict and active observation of our treatment protocols. Results may vary based on each person and are not guaranteed.
Insurance
We are an in-network provider with TRICARE. Therefore, if you have TRICARE insurance, it is possible that your policy may provide coverage for you or a family member, depending on your specific policy and condition. Our New Patient Coordinator can discuss this with you in further detail.
For all other insurance, we are considered out of network and cannot file insurance on your behalf. We can, however, provide you with the appropriate paperwork at the end of your treatment. Then you can submit it to your insurance company to see if they will provide you with any reimbursement.
Currently, rTMS is FDA cleared for Depression and OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.) Treatment for all other conditions is considered “off-label.” We are hopeful, however, that treatment for TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) will be FDA cleared in the next two to three years. For non-FDA-approved treatment, it is not likely that insurance will provide reimbursement for our protocols.
Some patients have reported that they have been able to receive some reimbursement for EEGs or clinical evaluations. However, this depends on their health coverage. Additionally, Medicare patients have reported that their coverage provides no reimbursement for MeRT.
We take all major credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.
Care Credit
Care Credit is also an option to help finance medical expenses and is a separate company from The Brain Treatment Center San Diego. This is a credit card you can use to cover medical expenses and services. And they typically offer zero-interest financing for 12 months.
When you go to the Care Credit website and apply, they will rapidly let you know if you receive approval.
Interested but not sure?
Talk with our New Patient Coordinator
It’s normal for patients and their families affected by neurological conditions to feel frustrated and isolated. After all, many have lost hope that treatment can improve the condition. And we have some understanding of what you may be going through.
However, there is hope. MeRT has helped patients restore their brain function, reclaim their lives, and feel passionate about living again. That’s why we want to help guide you through the process so that you can make an informed decision about whether MeRT is the right treatment for you or your child.
It costs nothing to call us and talk about what is happening. Our New Patient Coordinator is here for you. She understands your pain and can answer all your questions. Additionally, she can explain the process and protocols, costs, possible insurance benefits, and any other details you want to know. During this no-obligation consultation, she will take all the time you need to know whether you should take the next steps.
Call Our New Patient Coordinator to Learn More
(619) 255-2101
Or fill in the form below and she will contact you.
Contact Us
For more information or to speak with our New Patient Coordinator, please fill in the information below.
Contact Us
For more information or to speak with our New Patient Coordinator, please fill in the information below.Life Can Be Better
You can be at peace and enjoy life. With so many successful treatments of Depression, we encourage you to explore the possibilities of MeRT Treatment. If right for you, it can have a lasting impact with a greatly improved quality of life.
