SAINT is an advanced form of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a
noninvasive treatment for depression. TMS uses magnetic pulses to stimulate
specific regions of the brain and has been a proven approach for treating
depression and other mental health conditions for almost two decades.
Prior TMS modalities were daily treatments (5 days a week) for a total
of 36 treatments which could take 6 weeks or more.
What makes SAINT unique is its accelerated treatment schedule. Unlike traditional
TMS therapy, which typically involves one session per day over several
weeks, SAINT delivers 10 treatment sessions each day, over the span of
just five days. The increased frequency of treatment allows for a more
concentrated therapeutic effect in a shorter period. Many patients begin
to feel relief from depression symptoms by the third day of treatment.
SAINT is also highly personalized. Brain imaging is used to map the precise
areas associated with depressive symptoms, enabling clinicians to target
treatment with greater accuracy. By focusing stimulation on these individualized
brain regions, SAINT enhances the effectiveness of each session.
The therapy works by modifying abnormal patterns of brain activity linked
to depression. The magnetic pulses help "reset" brain circuitry,
improve mood regulation, and provide relief from depressive symptoms.
University Medical Center is the only only hospital in the Gulf South offering
this service.
Conditions Treated
SAINT is designed to help individuals struggling with severe depression.
It may be appropriate for those who have:
Tried multiple antidepressant medications without significant relief
Undergone other therapies like traditional TMS or electroconvulsive therapy
(ECT) with limited success
Found temporary relief from depression, only to have symptoms return over time
This advanced therapy offers new hope for people whose depression has not
responded to conventional treatments.
