Therapeutic Neuromodulation

The UMass Memorial Center for Neuromodulation is the only center of its kind in New England that brings together neurologists, psychiatrists, neurosurgeons and psychologists. Experts at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, MA, bring expertise from advanced research from bench to bedside, and we tailor treatment to each patient based on symptoms. 

What is Therapeutic Neuromodulation?

Neurons in the brain are important to how your brain functions. They use electrical and chemical signals to send information to parts of the brain and nervous system. When the neurons or their networks in your brain aren't working properly, your brain function doesn't either. Therapeutic neuromodulation uses magnetic or electrical energy to alter brain activity. Treatments offered include transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and transcranial direct current stimulation (t-DCS).  

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a noninvasive, FDA-approved treatment option for patients with major depressive disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder, as well as anxiety and insomnia. It's an effective and proven outpatient treatment and can help patients who have not benefited from prescription medications or psychotherapy treatments. TMS involves precise neuron stimulation using repetitive electromagnetic fields to create electrical changes in mood-regulating areas of the brain. Types include:

• Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (r-TMS): Stimulation is applied to the part of the brain to relieve depression symptoms.
• Deep TMS (d-TMS): In d-TMS, stimulation penetrates deeper than r-TMS.
   

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Transcranial direct current stimulation is a noninvasive brain stimulation technique that applies a small current via your scalp to increase or decrease the activity of neurons. t-DCS can be effective in many psychiatric disorders and is a safe, outpatient option.

​Electroconvulsive Therapy

ECT can treat severe depression, catatonia, psychotic depression, mania and refractory schizophrenia. It's one of the most safe and effective treatments for depression and can save lives when other treatments have failed.

ECT is usually offered to patients with depression who have not responded to medications; have had excessive side effects from medication; or require rapid response due to serious medical risks. More than 80 percent of patients respond to ECT. Some patients develop memory problems during the acute series of treatments, but issues can gradually improve after treatment is completed.   

During therapy, the patient is anesthetized, and a small amount of electrical current is used to stimulate the brain. This produces a modified seizure that changes the activity in the regions of the brain involved in depression. Some of these changes are similar to those seen with antidepressant medications. The medications used for anesthesia cause sedation and prevent injury so that patients feel no discomfort during the procedure.

Referral Process

Patients: Contact your primary care physician or 855-UMASS-MD (855-862-7763).

Physicians: To refer a patient, please fax our referral form to: 774-441-6072.