Does repetative Transmagnetic Stimulation work?

[007melissa]

I have "treatment resistant depression" and I was researching alternatives to ECT online. I came across the new treatment offered by Neurostar:  rTMS. I've heard there are mixed findings as to whether it works or it's just the placebo effect. My doctor immediately dismissed it as something that could not possibly work. However, he's been using ECT forever to treat treatment resistant depression. I would love to hear the opinions of other more open minded MDs. Please help! Thank you!

[nalli]

ECT works faster & is more effective. As far as I have read & heard it is less effective & does not always work. Stick to ECT. IT WORKS!A bad memory is a small trade off!

[ILADVOCATE]

http://www.psycom.net/depression.central.transcranial.html
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/581830
  This would have some information. The procedure was FDA approved a few years back but to my knowledge they have not done further studies contrasting it with ECT. Not all psychiatrists would have full knowledge of this procedure so you might want to obtain a referral to a mood disorders specialist who could discuss this potential obtain further.