The Israeli firm Brainsway Ltd has officially launched its non-invasive deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) treatment for depression.
The U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) last year approved the treatment for patients with major depressive disorder. The treatment involves using a helmet that sends magnetic pulses into the brain to stimulate neurons and improve function in the affected areas.
A statement by the company says the technology is unique in that it can penetrate deeper than any other non-invasive method currently in use, which allows it to reach areas that were heretofore inaccessible.
Most of the 70 units installed by Brainsway up to this point are in use in the United States. The company is now conducting clinical trials for treating Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, and as well as addictions, stress and eating disorders.
“The company is aiming for thousands of installations for different diseases in the future,” Brainsway CEO Uzi Sofer told Reuters. “We hope this trend will continue and even get stronger.”
A study is currently being conducted at Harvard University on whether the Brainsway system can be helpful in treating epilepsy, Sofer said.