Press Releases | west coast tms institute
A NEW TREATMENT FOR DEPRESSION
Dr. Kira Stein and The West Coast TMS Institute Offer Innovative TMS Treatment in Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES (March 15, 2012) – On March 14, 2012, nationally-known Dr. Mehmet Oz introduced the audience of “The Dr. Oz Show” to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS,) an innovative treatment for depression that is non-invasive and drug-free. Dr. Oz discussed TMS in an episode about exciting new treatments for chronic pain, depression and weight conditions. “I believe this could be an effective treatment,” said Dr. Oz. “Why is every psychiatrist in the country not thinking about this for their patients?”
TMS is available in the Los Angeles area at The West Coast TMS Institute, founded and directed by psychiatrist Kira Stein, MD. Dr. Stein uses the NeuroStar® Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy system, demonstrated on “The Dr. Oz Show,” which offers state-of-the-art TMS treatment for depression. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved NeuroStar® TMS in 2008 for the treatment of major depressive disorder in adult patients who have failed to achieve satisfactory improvement from one prior antidepressant medication.
Several medical societies, including the American Psychiatric Association and the Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatment have listed TMS therapy in their guidelines for the management of clinical depression that is unresponsive to other treatment.
“Depression, the most common mental disorder in the United States, is a debilitating disease that affects a rapidly-growing number of people. Unfortunately, many people do not achieve sufficient relief with antidepressant medications or suffer systemic side-effects from them” says Dr. Kira Stein. “Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a breakthrough technology that offers a safe, effective and proven alternative treatment to those who suffer from depression. Due to our individualized approach to TMS, about 80% of our patients respond positively, which is a better success rate than that of patients treated with medications alone.”
TMS is available by medical prescription only and is delivered under the supervision of Dr. Stein. The outpatient procedure takes less than an hour and is typically administered in the institute’s office for five days a week for four to six weeks. “We offer a calm, relaxing environment for patients, who can remain awake during the procedure, listening to the sound of the ocean or watching television,” says Dr. Stein. “When the procedure is over, patients can drive and pursue normal daily activities.”
ABOUT DR. KIRA STEIN AND THE WEST COAST TMS INSTITUTE
Dr. Kira Stein is a board-certified psychiatrist with extensive experience in the treatment of psychiatric conditions using medication and non-medication approaches. Dr. Stein started the West Coast TMS Institute to help people who suffer from treatment-resistant depression or who cannot tolerate drug-related side effects. Dr. Stein is certified by Neuronetics in the clinical application of TMS therapy, and has completed intensive coursework on TMS at Harvard Medical School’s Berenson-Allen Center for Noninvasive Brain Stimulation.
Dr. Stein graduated from the University of Rochester School of Medicine. She trained at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute and was Chief Resident at the UCLA Anxiety Disorders Program from 2000-2001. Dr. Stein has been elected by her peers for inclusion in the Best Doctors in America® database from 2003 to 2012.
The West Coast TMS Institute offers TMS treatment in Los Angeles at its Sherman Oaks clinic. For more information, please call (818) 855-1694 or visit www.westcoastTMSinstitute.com/landing/OzShow.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UCLA-Trained Psychiatrist Opens an Advanced Depression Treatment Center In Los Angeles.
Los Angeles-based Psychiatrist, Kira Stein, MD, Opens The West Coast TMS Institute to Offer Patients a Non-Invasive, Non-Medicating Option For Treating Depression.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (October 1, 2011) – The West Coast TMS Institute, founded and directed by Kira Stein, MD is now providing state-of-the art depression treatment with the NeuroStar® Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy system. Located in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, the Institute is offering patients an innovative depression treatment, which is non-invasive and which does not enter the circulatory system. NeuroStar® TMS was cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2008 for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder in adult patients who have failed to achieve satisfactory improvement from one prior antidepressant medication at or above the minimal effective dose and duration in the current episode. Several societies, including the American Psychiatric Association (2010), The World Federation for Biological Psychiatry (2009), The Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement (2010), and The Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatment (2009) have listed TMS therapy as an option for the management of clinical depressions that have been unresponsive to other treatment approaches.
Dr. Stein states, “Depression is a debilitating disease that affects a rapidly growing number of people; unfortunately, many do not achieve sufficient relief from antidepressant medications.” [1] She continues, “This breakthrough technology offers a proven alternative to those who suffer from depression.[2], [3] Furthermore, TMS therapy has been shown to be safe, highly tolerated, and durable with a lower discontinuation rate in clinical trials.” [4], [5], [6]
A National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) sponsored, controlled, randomized, industry-independent study concluded that TMS is “a monotherapy with few adverse effects and significant antidepressant effects for unipolar depressed patients who do not respond to medications or who cannot tolerate them.” 3
The treatment is available by medical prescription only and delivered under the supervision of Dr. Stein. This 37-minute outpatient procedure is generally administered 5-days a week for 4-6 weeks, and patients receive treatment in the Institute’s office. “We have created a calm environment for patients, who can remain wide-awake during the procedure while relaxing comfortably, listening to the sound of the ocean or watching television,” says Dr. Stein. She adds, “When the procedure is over, patients can drive home and continue with their day.”
The West Coast TMS Institute is unique in that it offers a referral program that is available to patients’ primary psychiatrists, therapists, and other healthcare providers. ”Our goal is not to compete with referring providers, but rather to assist them in providing their patient the best care available,” explains Dr. Stein. The Institute’s staff are supportive, compassionate and thorough, and Dr. Stein has been re-elected by her peers for inclusion in Best Doctors in America® since 2003. Patients and referring health care providers can be confident that they will receive a high level of personal attention and the latest in depression treatment.
To learn more, please contact the West Coast TMS Institute at (818) 855-1694 or visit our informative website at www.westcoastTMSinstitute.com.
Contact:
Erin Yates, TMS Coordinator
info@westcoasttmsinstitute.com (818) 855-1694
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[1] Rush, JA, Trivedi, MH, Wisniewsk, SR, et al. Acute and longer-term outcome in depressed outpatients requiring one or several treatment steps: a STAR*D report. Am J Psychiatry. Nov 2006;163(11):1905-1917.
[2] Demitrack, MA & Thase, ME. Clinical significance of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TS) in the treatment of pharmacoresistant depression: synthesis of recent data. Psychopharmacology Bulletin. 2009; 42(2):5-38.
[3] George, MS, Lisanby, SH, Avery, D, et al. Daily left prefrontal transcranial magnetic stimulation for major depressive disorder: a sham-controlled randomized trial. Arch Gen Psychiatry. May 2010;67(5): 507-516.
[4] O’Reardon, JP, Solvason, HB, Janicak, PG, et al. Efficacy and safety of transcranial magnetic stimulation in the acute treatment of major depression: a multisite randomized controlled trial. Biol Psychiatry. 2007;62:1208–1216.
[5] Janicak, PG, Nahas, Z, Lisanby, S, et al. Durability of acute response to TMS in the treatment of major depression: relapse during a continuation pharmacotherapy extension study. Biol Psychiatry. 2007;61:176S.
[6] Janicak, PG, O’Reardon, J, Sampson, S, et al. Safety and tolerability of TMS in the treatment of major depression: evidence from extended exposure and reintroduction treatment. Biol Psychiatry. 2007;61:176S.
