Lifting the Cloud: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and the Treatment of Major Depression

The Institute for Person-Centered Care Podcast

Lifting the Cloud: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and the Treatment of Major Depression

This episode provides an in-depth exploration of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and its impact on psychiatric disorders. TMS has demonstrated effectiveness in numerous clinical trials and serves as a valuable adjunct to traditional therapy. Designed for clinicians and mental health professionals and those they serve, this podcast offers insights into:
Identifying appropriate patient populations for TMS therapy. Understanding the TMS treatment process from start to finish. Exploring the role of neuromodulation in reshaping brain function for long-term improvement. Reviewing clinical outcome data supporting TMS in the treatment of major depressive disorder. Gain a deeper understanding of how TMS and neuromodulation techniques are advancing the field of functional neuropsychiatry and providing new hope for patients.

Objectives:
Identify appropriate patient populations for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) treatment of psychiatric disorders.
Describe the treatment process of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation.
Describe possible adverse events associated with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation.
Explain how neuromodulation techniques impact long-term changes in brain network functioning.
Discuss clinical outcome data for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation treatment.

Guests:

Dr. Henry Emerle, MD
Dr. Rich Whitaker, PhD

Bios:

Dr. Rich Whitaker began his career in the Quad Cities in 1994 as a doctoral intern at the historic Marriage and Family Counseling Service in Rock Island, Illinois as part of his Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Brigham Young University. Since that pivotal year, Dr. Whitaker has pursued a career in community mental health, providing services, supervision, and executive administration at community mental health centers in Grand Island, Nebraska (9 years as COO) and Jasper, Indiana (12 years as CFO). Since January 2017, Rich has served as the CEO of Vera French Community Mental Health Center in Davenport, Iowa. In addition to serving as a Director of Region 7 on the Board of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, Dr. Whitaker also serves as a Government Relations Committee member for the Iowa Association of Community Providers, as a Board member of Churches United in the Quad Cities, and as a member of the Eastern Iowa MHDS Regional Advisory Committee.

Rich and Miriam are the parents of 3 daughters and one son and the proud grandparents of a growing number of highly intelligent and multi-talented grandchildren. In his spare time, Rich enjoys family time, all types of sports and exercise, singing with the Quad City Singers, and service in the church and community.

Henry Emerle, MD completed his medical school training at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Urbana-Champaign, IL. He completed Psychiatry Residency training as well as Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship training at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI. He is the Medical Director at Vera French Community Mental Health Center. He enjoys spending time with his family exploring the many charming towns in Iowa along the Mississippi River.

References:

Cash RFH, Cocchi L, Lv J, Fitzgerald PB, Zalesky A. Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging–Guided Personalization of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Treatment for Depression. JAMA Psychiatry. 2021;78(3):337–339. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2020.3794

Jannati, A., Oberman, L.M., Rotenberg, A. et al. Assessing the mechanisms of brain plasticity by transcranial magnetic stimulation. Neuropsychopharmacol. 48, 191–208 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41386-022-01453-8

Pitcher, D., Parkin, B., & Walsh, V. (2021). Transcranial magnetic stimulation and the understanding of behavior. Annual Review of Psychology, 72, 97-121. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-081120-013144

Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression (STAR*D) Study (n.d.) https://www.nimh.nih.gov/funding/clinical-research/practical/stard