Brain Treatment Center Michigan

Category: Blog

  • Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder and Innovative Treatments

    Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder and Innovative Treatments

    Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder and Innovative Treatments

    Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a condition that affects how a person communicates and interacts with others. It can also include repetitive behaviors and fixation on a particular action or subject. The brains of people with autism work differently than those of people without autism, which can make everyday social interactions challenging. However, researchers continuously explore new ways to help manage and improve these challenges.                                           

    What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

    Recent studies suggest that autism might be linked to how certain parts of the brain work and communicate with each other. For example, a study by Muhle et al. (2018) reviewed how the brains of people with autism might develop differently from early in life. They discussed how these differences could contribute to the behaviors seen in autism, such as difficulties with social interactions or repetitive behaviors.

    Another study by Cheng, Rho, and Masino (2017) explored how metabolism, which is how the body uses energy, might be different in people with autism. They suggested that these differences could affect brain function and behavior, providing insights into potential treatments involving dietary changes or supplements to help improve symptoms.

    How Memory Works in Autism Spectrum Disorder​

    A recent 2023 study by Kim and Kasari looked into how children with autism manage working memory, which is crucial for tasks like following instructions and completing schoolwork. They found that certain behaviors and skills could predict how well children might develop their memory over time. This is important because better working memory can help improve learning and daily functioning.

    Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder receiving MeRT

    Innovative Autism Treatments: MeRT and TMS

    Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy (MeRT) is an exciting new treatment that uses magnetic fields to stimulate specific areas in the brain. These treatments are being studied to see if they can help adjust the brain’s activity to improve communication between different brain regions.

    Research on MeRT has shown that these therapies might change the balance of brain waves, such as theta, delta, and alpha waves, which are different types of electrical activity in the brain. By modifying these ratios, MeRT could potentially improve behaviors commonly seen in autism, like difficulty with social interactions, repetitive behaviors, and challenges with communication.

    What Behaviors Improve with MeRT and TMS?

    People with autism who have received these treatments have shown improvements in several areas:

    • Social Skills: Better interaction with others and understanding social cues.
    • Communication: Improvements in both verbal skills and non-verbal communication.
    • Behavioral Flexibility: Reduced repetitive behaviors and increased ability to adapt to change.

    Safe and Promising

    While MeRT is still being researched, it offers a promising glimpse into future treatments that could help people with autism lead more comfortable and fulfilling lives. These treatments are generally considered safe, but they should always be carried out under the supervision of healthcare professionals with training in brain health and neurological conditions.

    mom and child with autism spectrum disorder

    Conclusion

    Autism Spectrum Disorder comes with many challenges. But, with ongoing research and the development of treatments like MeRT, there is hope for improved management of the condition. These treatments could one day significantly enhance the quality of life for those with autism by helping to align their brain activity to promote better communication, memory, and social interactions. This area of science is ever-evolving, and each discovery brings us one step closer to more effective solutions.

    Dr. Ramona Wallace, D.O., IFMCP
    Brain Treatment Center – Marshall
    Outside the Box Functional Medicine

    Read more about the evidence behind MeRT

    Ramona Wallace, DO, IFMCP, is a Dually board-certified Family Medicine physician with additional certifications in Functional Medicine and Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy (MeRT). Dr. Wallace has dedicated many years to researching nutrition and its impacts on health, developing a deep understanding of the interplay between diet and disease prevention. Currently, she applies her expertise at the Brain Treatment Center, focusing on treating children using a holistic approach and innovative MeRT techniques. Her commitment to integrating comprehensive nutritional strategies with advanced neurological treatments highlights her unique approach to pediatric care, aiming to optimize health outcomes and enhance the well-being of her young patients.

    Recent Posts

  • Brain Fog: How it Can Stop You From Reaching Your Goals  

    Brain Fog: How it Can Stop You From Reaching Your Goals  

    Brain Fog

    How it Can Stop You from Reaching Your Goals — and How MeRT Can Help

    We know the steps we should take to improve our health, yet for many of us, there’s a persistent gap between knowing and doing.

    It’s not simply a lack of willpower. It’s that the brain, our central driver of motivation and focus, can often feel out of sync, fogged, or sluggish. When this happens, even the healthiest intentions can feel like monumental tasks.

    This is where Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy (MeRT) offers a game-changing advantage. MeRT helps optimize brainwave function, particularly alpha waves, crucial for relaxed focus and clarity.

    How Can MeRT Help with Brain Fog?

    Alpha waves bridge calm and activity; they prepare us for action with a clear, centered mind. When these waves are out of sync, it’s like having a map but unable to read it. We know what to do but struggle to muster the energy or clarity to achieve those steps. 

    MeRT addresses this directly, recalibrating alpha waves to boost the brain’s natural capacity for motivation, focus, and follow-through.

    Think of MeRT as a mental tune-up, sharpening the alpha wave response that underpins our cognitive abilities and self-discipline. 

    As the brain’s alpha waves become more aligned, our thoughts gain clarity. That makes it easier to choose the actions we know are best for us.

    Create the Mental Environment to Succeed

    With MeRT’s support, the decision to go for a walk, make a healthier meal, or invest time in a relaxation practice becomes less of a mental hurdle and more of a natural choice. MeRT doesn’t just “push” us to act; it helps create a mental environment where healthier choices feel intuitive and aligned with our intentions.

    By optimizing brain function, we’re not simply managing symptoms or forcing ourselves into routines—we’re making lasting changes that resonate with our goals and priorities. With MeRT, we may finally align our motivation with our best intentions, creating a pathway to a healthier, more fulfilled life.

    Dr. Ramona Wallace, D.O., IFMCP
    Brain Treatment Center – Marshall
    Outside the Box Functional Medicine

    Learn how MeRT can help reduce brain fog

    Ramona Wallace, DO, IFMCP, is a Dually board-certified Family Medicine physician with additional certifications in Functional Medicine and Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy (MeRT). Dr. Wallace has dedicated many years to researching nutrition and its impacts on health, developing a deep understanding of the interplay between diet and disease prevention. Currently, she applies her expertise at the Brain Treatment Center, focusing on treating children using a holistic approach and innovative MeRT techniques. Her commitment to integrating comprehensive nutritional strategies with advanced neurological treatments highlights her unique approach to pediatric care, aiming to optimize health outcomes and enhance the well-being of her young patients.

    Recent Posts

  • Beyond World Mental Health Day: How MeRT is Shaping the Future of Mental Health Care

    Beyond World Mental Health Day: How MeRT is Shaping the Future of Mental Health Care

    Beyond World Mental Health Day

    How MeRT is Shaping the Future of Mental Health Care

    World Mental Health Day was held on October 10, 2024. And while that day may have passed, the need for better mental health care is ongoing. While it’s great to have a day dedicated to raising awareness, many people face mental health challenges every single day. For those living with conditions like depression, PTSD, brain injuries, and autism, the journey can feel long and difficult.

    At the Brain Treatment Center Michigan, we understand conventional treatments like therapy and medication don’t always work for everyone. That’s why we offer a specialized treatment called MeRT (Magnetic EEG-guided Resonance Therapy). This non-invasive therapy is changing lives for people who have struggled to find relief elsewhere.

    World Mental Health Day graphic

    MeRT is a non-invasive brain treatment that uses magnetic stimulation to target specific areas of the brain that aren’t functioning optimally. The key difference between MeRT and standard rTMS or medications is that MeRT is customized for each person. It uses EEG data to tailor the treatment to your unique brain patterns. This personalization makes MeRT a more targeted and, in many cases, more effective option for people who haven’t responded to conventional treatments.

    The Need for Ongoing Mental Health Care

    World Mental Health Day is an important reminder to talk about mental health. But what happens after the day is over? For many people, mental health struggles don’t disappear. They need solutions that go beyond awareness, and that’s where MeRT comes in.

    We see many patients who have tried everything: therapy, medication, traditional rTMS—and still don’t feel better. These people often feel like they’re out of options. MeRT offers a new way forward, using precise brainwave data to create tailored treatment plans.

    This level of personalization is critical because no two brains are the same. It’s what sets MeRT apart from traditional treatments.

    Doctor looking at an EEG

    Mental Health Needs Innovation

    Mental health care is evolving, and treatments like MeRT represent the future. By focusing on brainwave activity and customizing each session to the individual, MeRT opens new doors for people who haven’t responded to traditional approaches:

    • MeRT is making an impact on those diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, helping to improve social behaviors and reduce irritability.
    • For veterans and others with PTSD, MeRT is providing much-needed relief from the intrusive symptoms that make daily life difficult. 
    • And for those with depression, it’s offering a new pathway to recovery.

    Looking Beyond the Day

    While awareness days like World Mental Health Day shine a spotlight on mental health, we must continue the momentum.

    At our clinic, we believe in pushing the boundaries of mental health treatment. MeRT isn’t just another option—it’s a solution for those who have exhausted traditional methods.

    If you’re ready to explore a new avenue in mental health care, MeRT could be the right fit for you. Contact our clinic today to learn more about how this cutting-edge therapy is helping people move forward in their mental health journey.

    Young woman with arms in the air giving thumbs up.
    Contact Us

    Recent Post

  • A 2024 Review of TMS as an Autism Treatment

    A 2024 Review of TMS as an Autism Treatment

    A 2024 Review of TMS as an Effective Autism Treatment

    In recent years, research about the impact of TMS on ASD symptoms has been sparse, with few comprehensive reviews emerging since 2018. A newly published review addresses this gap.

    For a detailed overview, click to read the full review. Here, we highlight the critical findings:

    ASD is a complex neurodevelopmental condition marked by challenges in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. Conventional treatments, such as behavioral therapies and medications, often fall short in addressing core symptoms because of their cost, time-intensive nature, and limited efficacy.

    TMS offers a promising alternative by modulating brain activity—regulating both electrical and chemical processes. This approach presents a novel strategy for managing ASD symptoms, demonstrating safety and tolerability even in pediatric patients.

    Covering studies from 2018 to 2023, the review delves into study characteristics, TMS parameters, targeted brain regions, behavioral outcomes, and neuroimaging findings revealing structural and functional brain changes.

    Encompassing 17 studies, including randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and open-label investigations, the review underscores the varying treatment frequencies (from once to five times weekly) and durations (1 to 18 weeks). Notably, repetitive TMS (rTMS) and intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS)—familiar in our MeRT regimen—emerged as common modalities.

    Evidence shows TMS enhances stereotyped and repetitive behaviors while improving social communication skills, assessed through diverse scales and metrics.

    Studies also highlight TMS-induced alterations in brain activity and connectivity, correlating with observable biomarkers in ASD-related neuroimaging.

    Crucially, employing EEG guidance enhances precision in targeting specific brain areas implicated in ASD symptoms, distinguishing our EEG-guided MeRT from standard TMS methods and augmenting treatment efficacy.

    Read the full article here