At least nine methods are being studied.
The most common:
Transcranial magenetic stimulation (TMS)
With the patient awake in the office, external magnetic pulses induce an electrical field on the surface of the brain, activating neurons below. Noninvasive.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
Electrical stimulation of the scalp under anesthesia induces a wave of activity across the brain - a seizure. A gentler, magnetically triggered version is being tested.
Vegus nerve stimulation (VNS)
A pacemaker in the chest sends electrical impulses to electrodes in contact with the vagus nerve in the neck, and then up to the brain.
Deep brain stimulation (DBS)
This is similar to VNS, but electrodes are surgically implanted in the brain to stimulate precise regions in various disorders. Highly invasive.
Links to a company video showing how TMS works, and how to find clinical trials of all these therapies for dozens of disorders:
Contact the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine's TMS Treatment Program at 215-573-8582, or
go to
