University of Iowa Health Care says its new SAINT protocol uses MRI-guided targeting to deliver an intensive, personalized form of TMS for major depression.
Personalized TMS protocol introduced
According to the University of Iowa Health Care Department of Psychiatry, it has begun offering SAINT neuromodulation therapy, an intensive and personalized form of transcranial magnetic stimulation for people with major depression.
The source describes SAINT as Stanford accelerated intelligent neuromodulation therapy. It says the approach builds on TMS treatment already used for depression by adding software that identifies brain regions for stimulation.
According to the source, the organization is among the first academic medical centers in the United States to offer the treatment and the first in the Midwest.
MRI-guided treatment targeting
The University of Iowa Health Care Department of Psychiatry says SAINT uses structural and functional MRI scans to identify the area of an individual patient’s brain to stimulate with TMS.
According to the source, the relevant brain region can differ somewhat between patients, and MRI-guided localization is intended to personalize treatment targeting. The source says neuronavigation software uses MRI scans to calculate the target for magnetic stimulation and guide precision delivery.
The source states that this targeting approach is unique to SAINT and that studies suggest it may improve the effectiveness of TMS treatment. It also describes the use of MRI imaging to target treatment for a psychiatric disease as a first.
Intensive schedule and reported effects
According to the University of Iowa Health Care Department of Psychiatry, a standard TMS course is generally delivered in one daily session over about six weeks. The SAINT protocol instead delivers repeated treatments each day over five days, the source says.
The source characterizes SAINT as a fast-acting antidepressant treatment and says early data suggest that up to 80 percent of patients experience remission of depression symptoms, with effects often lasting months.
According to the source, reported side effects can include headache and fatigue, which it says tend to resolve after the TMS protocol is completed.
Research plans
The University of Iowa Health Care Department of Psychiatry says its team also plans research studies intended to better understand how SAINT works and support continued refinement of the technology.
The source says the technology was licensed from Stanford University and developed into neuronavigation software by Magnus Medical. It describes brain stimulation as a treatment approach being explored for illnesses that have not responded to medications and psychotherapy.
What this means for Iowa patients
For Iowans looking for treatment locally, this update describes a new personalized TMS protocol; the directory lists 34 published clinics in Iowa.
This is general information, not medical advice.
More Iowa reporting on treatment updates.
This report is educational and is not medical advice. Coverage, availability and eligibility can change; verify details with the named source or your care team.