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We use gentle magnetic waves to stimulate unused or blocked pathways in the brain.
PTSD, or Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, can occur when a person has experienced or witnessed terrifying life events. It can also be triggered when someone has gone through extended periods of severe stress.
Symptoms can vary from person to person since everyone can handle major stressors a little differently. But these are some of the common things that people can experience:
The Brain Treatment Center in Marshall offers MeRT to help patients experiencing Anxiety, extreme Stress, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
MeRT (Magnetic Resonance Therapy) is an advanced treatment technique that builds upon the foundations of TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) but offers a more customized approach.
While TMS has long been used to address brain dysregulation, it typically follows a standardized method that targets only one brain area with a single frequency, which may not be ideal for every patient.
In contrast, MeRT enhances TMS by incorporating a detailed quantitative EEG/EKG analysis to identify the specific brain areas affected and the extent of the dysregulation.
This allows for a highly individualized treatment plan tailored to address each patient’s unique needs, making MeRT a more precise and personalized alternative to traditional TMS.
MeRT, guided by advanced EEG imaging, uses a magnetic coil to gently stimulate and rebalance brain function.
The process begins with a quantitative EEG (qEEG) to identify areas of brain dysregulation. This test provides a detailed view of the brain’s wave patterns and overall function.
Then, based on this analysis, our doctors and scientists develop a precise neural synchronization protocol for each patient. The goal is to enhance communication within the brain, which can lead to significant clinical improvements.
After the qEEG and analysis, we then perform Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), an FDA-cleared treatment for Depression. TMS works by using magnetic fields, delivered through an electromagnetic coil, to modulate brain activity.
However, MeRT takes TMS technology a step further by customizing the treatment to each patient’s unique condition, diagnostic findings, and qEEG results. This includes tailoring the frequency, location, and power of the stimulation for optimal results.
Most treatment plans last between 4 and 8 weeks, with daily appointments from Monday to Friday lasting about 30 minutes. Many patients begin noticing positive changes within the first week. And those treated for Depression rarely need follow-up sessions after completing the therapy.
For a more detailed explanation of the MeRT process, visit our What is MeRT page.
Or fill out the contact form at the bottom of the page.
Some people who have experienced extreme trauma can bounce back after time. But for others, the symptoms of PTSD can continue for months or years. And in some cases, they can get worse. It’s also possible to have a delayed onset of PTSD, where you get through the traumatic events only to have them triggered years later.
The symptoms associated with PTSD can significantly affect your quality of life, relationships, and the ability to cope with everyday, common stressors.
For MeRT treatment, we use a magnetic field (TMS) guided by sophisticated imaging and diagnostics to balance brain function.
The qEEG imaging will identify all areas of dysregulation in the brain, and the TMS treatment aims to improve brain communication in those areas.
The TMS equipment used is FDA-cleared for Depression and OCD. And studies are underway through Texas A&M University to seek FDA clearance for PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury. Currently, the treatment is used “off-label” for other conditions.
This technology has been used to help hundreds of veterans with PTSD. In fact, Defense One published an article detailing how veterans are benefitting from MeRT in the article, “Zap: How Electric Therapy is Curing Navy Seals of PTSD.“
“Everything changed when I started treatment. Within two weeks, I was sleeping better. I was off all 12 of my meds that I was on when I started treatment, and I was starting to enjoy life again. After the first month I was socializing with people again, I was able to work out for the first time in years, and I started to help my wife with the bills and our budget.
“As I write this, I just completed my sixth week of treatment. A conservative estimate is that I have had a 60-70% reduction of all my symptoms and have a whole new lease on life. I can focus and I feel good about myself. I feel confident and I can laugh again. Most importantly, I can feel the love for and from my family again.” – Veteran, after undergoing MeRT
To find out if MeRT is the right choice for you or your child, contact our New Patient Coordinator. She can provide detailed information about the treatment, protocols, costs, and payment options.
If you decide to proceed, we will schedule your initial two appointments. The first is for a non-invasive brain scan, and the second is a consultation with the doctor to discuss the scan results and potential benefits of treatment.
For the qEEG (brain scan), we fit a cap on your head to record the brain’s electrical activity and identify any areas with irregular function. For the EKG, we place an electrode on your chest to capture the heart’s electrical signals and assess the coherence between the brain and heart.
Following the qEEG/EKG will be a consultation with our doctor, either in person or virtually. During this meeting, we will review your test results, explain the treatment protocols, address any questions you might have, and discuss the potential benefits of treatment.
If you move forward with treatment, the first week of MeRT will consist of 45 minutes each day for five days, Monday through Friday. The second week of treatment will last for four days, Monday through Thursday, followed by new testing on Friday.
Most courses of treatment with MeRT run for about six weeks, with a new brain scan done every two weeks to assess progress and continue customizing treatment for the best results. Tailored treatment protocols help make MeRT even more effective than rTMS.
MeRT is a highly customized version of rTMS [repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation]. The science and protocols of MeRT are based on years of authoritative research published in some of the most prestigious scientific journals. Here are just some of these.
“This data provides a demonstration of significant reduction in PTSD and depression symptoms and safety with the application of a-rTMS in active-duty special operations military personnel. Expansion of targeted neuromodulation programs could be impactful for military and civilian populations.”
“Hundreds of vets have tried out an experimental new treatment that could change how the world addresses mental disorders.” And “All said that they saw big improvements after a course of therapy that ran five days a week for about four weeks.”
“All participants demonstrated significant reductions in PTSD and MDD symptoms (all p < .001). As expected, there were significant reductions in symptoms in both treatment groups, but active stimulation did provide greater reductions in count of PTSD moderate-to-severe symptoms.”
‘This study suggests that non-invasive neuromodulation magnetic resonance therapy may lead clinical improvements as well as a trend toward normalization of EEG pathophysiology in PTSD.”
“Our preliminary results suggest that transcranial MeRT may provide an alternate method to help veterans suffering from PTSD.”
“This double-blind, randomized, controlled trial shows that transcranial magnetic therapy based on individualized frequencies derived from EEG/EKG is an effective therapy for PTSD in improving overall symptoms and quality of sleep.”
“Following 2 weeks of EEG-EKG guided transmagnetic stimulation, significant changes in symptom severity and EEG measures are reported for 80 retired military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. Patients had greatest comparative reductions in PCL-M subscales VII “avoid situation indicator” XII “short future indicator” and XIII “trouble falling or staying asleep indicator”. The improvement in sleep was confirmed for treated vs sham group in PSQI-A, and, may suggest correlation between sleep disorder and PTSD symptoms. Of the 37 patients who had suicidal ideation by HAM-D, 29 patients denied ideation by 4 weeks. No patient worsened in clinical PTSD symptoms after receiving therapy. “
“The present study showed low-frequency rTMS to be an effective and tolerable option for the treatment of PTSD. Trials using variable indices of rTMS to the right prefrontal cortex and explorations of the differences in the effects on specific symptom clusters may be promising avenues of research regarding the use of rTMS for PTSD.
MeRT is a customized form of rTMS, and since 2016, TRICARE has recognized rTMS therapy for adults with major depressive disorder. If you have been diagnosed with Depression along with your PTSD, and you have TRICARE insurance, your treatment may be covered.
TRICARE is available to the beneficiaries in any of the eight uniformed services: US Army, US Navy, US Air Force, US Space Force, US Marine Corps, US Coast Guard, Commissioned Corps of the US Public Health Service, and the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
TRICARE-eligible beneficiaries may include Active Duty Service Members (ADSM) and their families, retired service members and their families, National Guard and Reserve members and their families, survivors, certain former spouses, and others.
MeRT, or Magnetic EEG-Guided Resonance Therapy is an advanced form of rTMS that is highly customized for each individual.
The Broken Brain Podcast, hosted by Dhru Purohit, explores the inner workings of the brain and body. One episode featured MeRT as a breakthrough treatment for various neurological issues, including PTSD.
In this episode, Dhru talks with Dr. Eric Won, President and Chief Medical Officer of Wave Neuroscience (the parent company behind MeRT technology). They discuss MeRT treatment, and Dr. Won shares the many successes of MeRT in treating veterans who have experienced head injuries as a result of their service.
Depression, anxiety, PTSD, and head injuries don’t just affect veterans; if you are experiencing symptoms because of these conditions, watching this episode of The Broken Brain podcast may help you.
While our New Patient Coordinator is happy to answer your questions and explain things, here are some of the most commonly asked questions and their answers.
We have seen some incredible results with MeRT. It’s possible you may feel frustrated and uncertain about the best course of treatment. We can at least help by providing you with as much information as you would like about this treatment.
MeRT has helped many restore or improve their brain function and reclaim their lives. We want to help you make an educated decision about whether or not MeRT is right for you or your loved one.
Our New Patient Coordinator can answer any questions you have, explain costs and protocols, and can also assist in getting you scheduled for testing and a consultation with the doctor if you would like to explore further.
Currently, rTMS (the treatment used in the MeRT process) is FDA-cleared for treatment of Depression and OCD. If you think you may be able to file for reimbursement from insurance, we can provide you with the documentation you will need to do so. Please note that neither Medicare or Medicaid provide any coverage for MeRT or TMS treatment.
Or fill out the contact form at the bottom of the page.
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