A Revolutionary Approach to Treat Depression
MeRT is non-invasive and non-pharmaceutical and has helped those with Depression who have not responded well to medications or had difficulty with their side effects.
Have you (or someone close to you) been experiencing a persistent feeling of sadness or loss of interest? Everyone goes through a certain amount of ups and downs in their lives. Sometimes losses or tragedies occur, and depression can set in. This is normal. But if one doesn’t bounce back and depression persists or becomes severe, then one should seek help. Changes in sleep, appetite, energy level, concentration, daily behavior, or self-esteem can often accompany depression. Additionally, depression can be associated with thoughts of suicide.
As stated by the Mayo Clinic: “Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes you may feel as if life isn’t worth living.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, more than 3 million people are diagnosed with Depression every year. We don’t have statistics yet for 2020, but based on everything that has been happening in recent times, it’s likely that statistics have risen significantly and many more people are experiencing Depression or have exacerbated symptoms.
MeRT has been used successfully to treat Depression and MDD. The equipment used in the MeRT process has been cleared by the FDA for the Treatment of Depression and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).
Call Our New Patient Coordinator to Learn More
330-892-9315
Signs that you are experiencing Depression include:
Feeling down or depressed longer than a few weeks
Inability to complete everyday activities
Low energy levels; no motivation
Anger, or emotional outbursts
Irritability
Poor performance at work or school
Feelings of isolation
Loss of interest in social activities, relationships, etc.
Sleeping too much or sleeping too little
Trouble concentrating or remembering things
Feeling guilty or worthless
Thinking about past events or failures
Anxiety
Back or neck pain
Headaches
Thoughts of suicide
Suicide attempts
Depression, also referred to as Clinical Depression or Major Depressive Disorder, can have symptoms that range in type and severity for different people. While antidepressant medication can help some people, it doesn’t help everyone and isn’t always the right treatment for everybody. Medication can also have unpleasant side effects, both short-term and long-term, that are not tolerated well.
Statistics show that 8% to 10% of adults who are depressed will die by suicide; it’s become the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. So if you feel that you or someone close to you are experiencing Depression, it is incredibly important to act and seek medical help.
IF YOU ARE FEELING SUICIDAL, PLEASE CALL 911! YOU CAN ALSO CALL THE NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE AT 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
For anyone suffering from depression, anxiety, and other symptoms, I highly recommend trying MeRT at the Brain Treatment Center. My adult son who has suffered from both problems his entire life, and has been on medication, realized a positive change after the first visit. We saw dramatic improvement after each visit. This technology is truly a magic bullet for the right candidate. The staff is professional and friendly. The facilities are equally professional. I would highly recommend The Brain Treatment Center.” – Harold H.
The Brain Treatment Center in Youngstown Has a New Approach
IT’S CALLED MERT.
MeRT(sm), which stands for Magnetic Resonance Therapy, is a treatment protocol evolved from TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation). MeRT utilizes TMS technology, but is more tailored as to how it is applied to each individual based on their diagnostics.
Simply stated, magnetic fields are used to stimulate and balance brain function, guided by very sophisticated imaging and diagnostics.
Patients with depression have a few markers that are visible in their EEG studies — an imbalance in brainwave activity between the left and the right hemispheres of the brain, known as asymmetry.
New research is confirming that factors that may contribute to Depression do cause changes in brain function including altered activity of certain neural circuitsin the brain.
We work to identify these asymmetries and strengthen healthy brainwave activity to reduce the symptoms of depression for the patient.
We customized MeRT to each individual’s needs based on their diagnostics and imaging. The treatment protocol is tailored as to the location, frequency, duration, and amount of power used by the magnet. Specifically, this technology works by using magnetic waves to stimulate areas of the brain to improve communication, balance, and connectivity. It is non-invasive, painless, and requires no drugs or anesthesia.
A quantitative EEG is performed on each patient in order to determine the exact frequency of the brain. Our clinician, Dr. Tarun Mehra, along with our scientific team, then evaluate these tests and tailor treatment to each patient’s unique condition, optimized for the best possible results.
For me, depression was the constant feeling of, ‘I want to quit’ and retreat to my home, except I already would be home. MeRT helped me shed this feeling in less that 2 weeks. I couldn’t believe I had spent so many years feeling this way!” — Brain Treatment Patient.
“Everyone experiences their world a little bit differently.”
“EEGs (electrical pictures of the brain) can tell us when there are abnormalities in neural networks. … And we run that data through a normative database, and we can see, for example, if somebody has an area in the left prefrontal cortex that’s cycling at two Hertz — which means that they may be only processing information two times per second — whereas the rest of their brain may be cycling 11 times per second. That information mismatch may manifest for somebody who has depression. They may lack motivation, feel lethargic, not want to get out of bed.”
But in a different scenario… let’s say it is the visual cortex that’s cycling now at 30 times per second. If you’re scanning your environment 30 times per second, but [are] only able to process it 10 or 11 times per second, this information overload may manifest as anxiety. And it’s not a one-to-one correlation. Everyone experiences their world a little bit differently.
We can look at these signals and find areas that are abnormal, [then we] use this FDA cleared technology, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, to navigate to the area that’s not working properly and try to stimulate it and remind it that it wants to fire at a certain frequency and a certain rate.”
– Dr. Erik Won, President of Wave Neuroscience, from his appearance on the Broken Brain podcast
Dr. Erik Won, President &
Chief Medical Officer
at Wave Neuroscience
Psychiatric News Article: The Benefits of TMS in Treating Major Depressive Disorder
An article in the October 2022 issue of the Psychiatric News provides evidence that TMS (a key component of MeRT treatment) should be considered as first-line treatment for moderate-to-severe Major Depressive Disorder.
The article’s author, Richard A. Bermudes, reviewed a decade’s worth of studies on the effectiveness of TMS, and wrote:
As I read the [APA] guidelines recently and considered the number of new outcome studies conducted with TMS, I believe TMS should be considered in addition to pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy as a first-line treatment for patients with moderate to severe major depressive disorder.”
Read the whole article on the Psychiatric News website.
MeRT Treatment for Depression: What to Expect
For the initial analysis, you will come in for a comprehensive testing appointment. We will gather your new patient paperwork and then our chief neuro technician will perform a qEEG and EKG, which will enable us to identify any dysfunction or communication problems in your brain.
While this appointment usually takes about 45 minutes, if you are seeking treatment for your child with autism, please plan on spending an hour with us. Should you decide to proceed with treatment, we will schedule your assessment period.
If you are not yet ready to commit to going through an assessment period of treatment or prefer to have your qEEG and consultation done to ensure you are a candidate for treatment, we also offer the option of coming in for a qEEG/EKG and consultation with our clinician, Dr. Tarun Mehra, FNP, to see your results before proceeding with the assessment period. Please note that Dr. Tarun Mehra, medical director, oversees treatment for each patient.
Your second appointment is 45 minutes long. During this time, you will meet with us for your clinical evaluation. Additionally, your provider will answer any questions you may have and discuss your applicable treatment plan.
Assessment Period
The assessment period of treatment lasts for two weeks.
The assessment period of treatment will help you, and us, determine how you are responding to treatment. At the end of the assessment period, we will perform a second qEEG to note any changes occurring in your brain.
After completing a two-week assessment period, the patient will have their initial qEEG/EKG, and then attend treatment sessions for two weeks. The first week will be Monday through Friday, and the second week, Monday through Thursday, nine sessions in total, followed by a repeat qEEG to determine progress.
Continuing Treatment
Once the assessment period is complete, and we are seeing progress both clinically and on the qEEG, we will schedule subsequent two-week treatment periods. Because each treatment period lasts for two weeks, you must be able to stay in Youngstown or the surrounding area. We advise that to get the most out of your treatment—and for long-lasting results—you stay for an entire six weeks of treatment (which includes the assessment period).
The comparison between the initial and second qEEG/clinical evaluation will determine if you are responding. You should also start to experience changes in the way you are feeling during this time. We highly advise a total of six weeks of treatment (which includes the assessment period) for optimal and long-lasting results.
Since each brain is unique, the protocol will be different for each patient as it is based on specific qEEG/EKG data from your brain, and the specific condition being treated. Generally, the results of treatment can last a lifetime, though some people prefer occasional follow-up treatment as needed. But each person is different, and protocols may vary. Your provider will have regularly scheduled follow-up EEGs and meet with you to gauge your progress.
Additional Information
A typical treatment session takes about 45 minutes. You will sit in a chair while the neuro-technician administers the treatment near the scalp via a hand-held magnet. The gentle magnetic impulses are delivered for six to eight seconds each minute. You may feel a slight sensation while the treatment is occurring, but it is not painful or uncomfortable.
Please note that results and improvements are based on active and strict observation of our regimens. Results may vary based on the individual users and are not guaranteed. Additionally, the results of therapy can vary per individual. In general, the longer the length of MeRT therapy, the longer the changes remain.
I felt like I was alone even though I was surrounded by love and care. It was just a cloud that would linger over my life every now and again. BTC helped me understand what was going on in my head and after a month of treatment, I was grateful to be DEPRESSION FREE and MEDICATION FREE for the first time in my life.” — Brain Treatment Patient
Call Our New Patient Coordinator to Learn More
330-892-9315
Contact Our New Patient Coordinator for Additional Information
It’s normal for patients and their families affected by brain disorders to feel alone, frustrated, and hopeless. However, there is hope. MeRT is a treatment protocol that has helped patients restore their brain function, reclaim their lives, and get a whole new lease on life.
We understand what you are going through. Our goal is to help guide you through the process so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not MeRT is the right treatment for you or your child.
Many of our clinicians and technicians have gone through MeRT treatment and have experienced incredible results firsthand. As a result, they are passionate about helping you to heal too.
Our New Patient Coordinator is available to answer any questions that you may have about how MeRT can help you specifically. She’ll take the time to listen to your concerns and put your mind at ease. She can also assist in getting you scheduled with the clinic should you decide to move forward with treatment.