TMS Treatment for Migraines
Migraines refer to severe, recurrent headaches. These headaches may occur on one side of the head and may be accompanied by vomiting, sensitivity to light, smells and sound, or nausea. According to the National Migraine Association, approximately 36 million Americans are impacted by migraines. Migraines may be difficult to diagnose, since symptoms tend to vary by individual. There are many different potential treatments for migraines, including one promising new treatment called transcranial magnetic stimulation.
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Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
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Transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS, involves the use of an electromagnet. The electromagnet is placed on the scalp, and short magnetic pulses, approximately the same strength of those felt during an MRI, are administered to a focused area of the brain. The pulses pass through the skull and stimulate the brain to either reduce brain activity (if the pulses are given at a low frequency) or increase brain activity (if the pulses are given at a high frequency). The stimulation or increase of brain activity may continue for a period of time after the pulses have ceased.
TMS and Migraines
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An Ohio State University Medical Center study, conducted on 164 migraine sufferers, demonstrated that TMS may be useful in the treatment of migraines. The TMS pulses are able to interrupt the migraine when it is developing, at the "aura phase." During this phase, migraine suffers report seeing lights or stars, and experiencing weakness, confusion or loss of vision. This phase occurs before the headache develops; if the TMS pulses are administered at that time, they can prevent the headache from developing into a migraine. Approximately 39 percent of those patients who received TMS pulses reported feeling no pain two hours after the treatment, compared with 22 percent of patients who had not received TMS pulses. Dr. Yousef M. Mohammad, a neurologist involved in the study, said this treatment may prove to be highly effective, with far less side effects than traditional migraine medication.
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What Does TMS Feel Like?
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TMS is relatively painless. It feels like a slight tapping on the head and patients may hear a tapping sound. Some patients report feeling lightheaded or having a mild headache for a short period of time after treatment is administered due to contraction of the scalp or jaw muscles.
Side Effects
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There are some potential side effects associated with TMS, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. In rare cases, TMS may induce seizures, although this side effect can be monitored and is extremely rare if the TMS is properly administered. Furthermore, because TMS stimulates brain activity, some fear that the TMS may disturb normal brain function; however, the National Alliance on Mental Health states that in studies conducted thus far, no long-term or short-term side effects have been reported.
Availability
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TMS treatment is not widely available at this time as it has not been approved by the FDA. Only those who are part of a research study have access to TMS treatment.
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