In an Australian first, Magnetic Seizure Therapy (MST) is being studied as an alternative treatment for patients suffering from depression who don’t respond to traditional treatment.
Traditional treatment such as ECT is limited due to the presence of memory-related side effects and associated stigma. MST induces a seizure through the use of magnetic stimulation, rather than a direct electrical current like ECT. Magnetic fields are able to pass freely into the brain, making it possible to focus stimulation.
The study found that MST resulted in an overall significant reduction in depression symptoms. None of the trial participants complained of cognitive side effects.
Read more at Monash University