A Brief History of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
Research into the use of magnetic fields and the power of magnetism to stimulate muscles and the human brain dates back at least to the early 1900s—the use of magnetism to treat depression dates back to the mid-1980s. Anthony Barker and Mark George are two of the scientists associated with pioneering research on TMS and its specific use in treating depression. During the 1990s, numerous studies demonstrated both the safety and effectiveness of TMS in treating depression. Neuronetics, the parent company of Neurostar, conducted the first large-scale, scientifically valid survey of TMS, which led to the FDA’s approval of its device and protocol in 2008.
Insurance companies began covering TMS in 2013 – before then, people seeking relief from depression with TMS paid out of pocket for their treatment. Almost every commercial insurance company in the U.S. currently covers TMS if a patient meets its specific clinical criteria.
Research into Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) continues to expand beyond its original use in treating depression. In 2018, TMS received FDA approval for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), although many insurance providers have been slow to cover this indication.
TMS is also being actively explored for conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and addiction. Notably, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs uses TMS as part of its treatment approach for veterans with PTSD. Some clinics have applied TMS for ADHD, memory enhancement, and other neurological or psychiatric conditions, though in most cases the research is not yet strong enough to support FDA approval.
It would be unrealistic to assume that TMS can effectively treat every psychological condition. At the same time, because TMS is noninvasive, well tolerated, and associated with minimal side effects, it may be a reasonable option for specific individuals—particularly when other treatments have not provided sufficient relief.
Ongoing research will continue to clarify where TMS is most effective and how it can be best used as part of comprehensive mental health care.
About Jonathan Schwartz, M.D.
Dr. Jonathan Schwartz, MD, was born in New Bedford and has been practicing adult and child psychiatry for more than 30 years. He graduated from McGill University Medical School in Montreal and trained at Massachusetts General Hospital (Adult Psychiatry) and Children’s Hospital (Child Psychiatry) in Boston. Dr. Schwartz specializes in the areas of Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Addictions, and ADHD. He served as the psychiatrist at U.Mass. Dartmouth from 1985 until 2016 and is currently the Medical Director at Steppingstone in Fall River, MA. Dr. Schwartz directs Concierge TMS.
