Theta Burst Stimulation

Theta-burst Stimulation (TBS) is the latest, most advanced TMS technology, which Brain Therapy TMS uses, extensively. Theta Burst TMS has been shown to consistently produce longer-lasting results than even conventional TMS — the odds of full remission after Theta Burst treatment are the highest of any TMS treatment available.

Another added benefit of Theta Burst treatment is the 3-4 minute total session duration, whereas a conventional TMS session can last up to 37 minutes.

Theta Burst vs Conventional TMS

Theta-burst Stimulation (TBS) is a special form of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS).

The main advantage of Theta-burst Stimulation is that it is able to produce powerful and long-lasting effects to targeted parts of the brain, all while using a lower stimulation intensity and shorter time of duration compared to conventional rTMS protocols.

iTBS & cTBS

iTBS and cTBS are two of the most commonly used TBS protocols.

Intermittent TBS (iTBS) is an excitatory stimulation used to increase neuronal activity. This excitatory stimulation is useful for disorders like depression where parts of the brain are underactive.

Continuous TBS (cTBS) is an inhibitory stimulation used to calm or decrease neuronal activity. This inhibitory stimulation is useful for disorders like anxiety or tinnitus where parts of the brain are overactive.

Why Theta Burst Stimulation (TBS) is So Useful

The advantages stated above give Theta Burst Stimulation (TBS) protocols a safe and significant ability to induce synaptic plasticity. This synaptic plasticity allows neuronal communication pathways in the brain to be altered in a way that is advantageous in treating disorders related to neural health.

Neural health is vital for mental health and cognitive function.

Both physical damage to the brain and mental illness can negatively affect neural health. This damage can create imbalances in the brain.

Neuronal imbalances can affect us in virtually unlimited ways, and each imbalance will affect the way we think, feel, and behave.

The imbalances are marked by over-activity or under-activity in specific parts of the brain. Using an EEG scan, we are able to map out parts of the brain that are out of balance.

Using TBS we can counter-balance these parts of the brain with either excitatory or inhibitory protocols. When done over multiple weeks, the brain becomes adapted to its new and healthier state for a lasting benefit free of pharmaceutical side effects.

Theta Burst Stimulation at Brain Therapy TMS

Our San Diego Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Center provides TMS Therapy for a wide range of mental health disorders.

In treating these disorders we may or may not use TBS protocols. Each mental illness acts differently in the brain, and each illness should be treated differently as well.

Our staff is trained to treat each individual according to their symptoms and EEG Assessment. This assessment will determine the type of TMS used, as well as the duration, frequency, and intensity at which it is used.

If you’d like to learn more about the treatment process at our TMS Center, please visit our TMS Procedure page.