The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just granted deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (dTMS) therapy, developed by Brainsway®, approval for the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in adults. This is the first ever non-invasive device to receive clearance for the treatment of OCD. It also marks the second time TMS has been approved by the FDA in the treatment of a mental health disorder. Previously, TMS was only FDA-approved for the treatment of treatment-resistant major depressive disorder (MDD).
“With the clearance of our BrainsWay® OCD device, we are now able to provide an effective and safe treatment option for US patients who are suffering from OCD,” said Yaacov Michlin, president and chief executive officer of BrainsWay. “With more than two million US adults suffering from OCD, this clearance provides us with a significant market opportunity. Importantly, this clearance further establishes Deep TMS as a platform technology that will provide treatments for additional psychiatric indications, subject to successful completion of our currently ongoing multi center studies and regulatory approvals.”
There are more than 2 million adults in the US suffering from OCD. It’s a disorder characterized by a pattern of obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. It’s a difficult cycle to break, making successful treatment challenging. Current treatment options include medications, CBT, or a combination of these treatments. Many patients suffering from OCD are considered “treatment-resistant,” because they do not respond to the traditional medications or therapy. OCD patients also have a difficult time tolerating the side effects of many medications indicated for OCD treatment.
TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) is a form of non-invasive brain stimulation that sends targeted electromagnetic pulses into the brain. Deep TMS is a newer method of TMS that can stimulate deeper parts of the brain. The announcement of FDA approval is great news to many who struggle with obsessive compulsive disorder. It means that more patients can receive the procedure and that it will eventually be covered by commercial insurance, as well as Medicare. Contact us to learn more about TMS or to see what other OCD treatments are available.
