The Miracle of the Human Brain!

There are approximately 100 billion neurons in the human brain.

In simple terms, your brain operates through populations of neurons interacting with each other. Much of this interaction is through tiny electrical oscillations or brain waves.

Many factors can disrupt the neurons in your brain. Some of the factors that can adversely affect activity between your neurons are:

• Illness or Disease
• A serious injury to the head or repeated head injuries
• Exposure to toxic chemicals
• Harmful addiction
• Developmental disorders such as Autism, Learning disorders, ADD, ADHD
• Trauma, extreme stress or anxiety
• Congenital conditions

These disruptions can be minor or significant. One’s threshold of tolerance varies from individual to individual. Some people are still able to function in their day-to-day activities, while others are completely debilitated and have no quality of life. However, with a little gentle stimulation in the right direction, very often brain function can be improved.

 

Our Process

Step 1: Brain Assessment

Your first step in the initial analysis will be to understand the current state of your brain function and performance with an MRI, EEG, and/or Online Cognitive Test. These diagnostics are non-invasive tests that measure brain wave frequencies.

Depending on your symptoms and issues, we will determine the needed initial testing. The results of these will then be analyzed by the scientific and clinical team to determine your current brain state and formulate a treatment protocol customized for you.

Using neurophysiological data, our approach is to develop a highly customized treatment plan with the aim of encouraging healthy brain communication.

What is the CBS Cognitive Assessment?

Since 2009, hundreds of thousands of people have used Cambridge Brain Sciences to gain a deeper understanding of their brain health, while contributing to large-scale scientific studies that have
advanced our knowledge of the brain.

As the leading online platform for cognitive assessment with one of the largest secure cognitive databases, they are in the unique position to push the boundaries of our understanding of the brain.

Quantify core aspects of your brain health using a set of fun, gamified, and scientifically validated cognitive tasks. You will receive a comprehensive, yet simple and easy-to-read cognitive assessment report in minutes. We at BrainStim Centers recommend everyone to take these tests before, during, and after any treatment.

What is an EEG?

An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test that measures the electrical patterns of the brain. It is painless and completely non-invasive. The patterns shown on the EEG reflect the cortical activity of the brain, also referred to as brainwaves. A qEEG, or quantitative EEG, is an in-depth analysis of the digitized EEG, sometimes referred to as brain mapping. The scan takes about 20 minutes.

We use this form of  “brain mapping” to provide a very comprehensive analysis of an individual’s brain activity. An EEG measures the current attention and metabolic state of the brain, which is constantly changing based on alertness, consciousness, and the neurological state of the individual being tested.

As each EEG is completely unique to the individual, we are able to tailor our approach to therapy to give the best possible outcomes for each patient with their specific needs. For those with neurological conditions, there may be significant EEG rhythm variations seen.

What is an MRI?

Our MRI is much faster, requires no sedation, no injections, and no closterphobia due to being placed in a tube. It is easy and completely painless. After about 9 minutes, you are all done!

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head is a painless, non-invasive test that produces detailed images of your brain and brain stem and high resolution of anatomic details in the brain without the requirement of radiation.  Our fast MRI scans use quicker imaging techniques and don’t require sedation or ionizing radiation. With this technology, we can identify traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and other physical issues with the brain, according to a study published.

An MRI provides excellent contrast between the different soft tissues of the body, which makes it especially useful in imaging brain pathology. The main disadvantage of the more commonly known full MRIs is the length of time they take (in some cases up to one hour). Our MRI only takes about 9 minutes for the entire procedure. Long protocols increase the risk of motion artifacts in the acquired images, thus general anesthesia was often used – at the expense of patient throughput, comfort, and cost. No need for any of this with our much quicker MRI protocols.

Because of its inherent benefits, brain MRI is an essential modality for the diagnosis and treatment planning of various diseases in patients. However, the long scan time of brain MRI is a major factor that limits its effectiveness in patients who are prone to motion and frequently require sedatives. Thus, brain MRI with acceptable diagnostic image quality yields reliable information regarding the brain and other intracranial tissues and with shorter scan time — an ideal diagnostic imaging modality.

If you are concerned about possible neurological issues, possible traumatic brain injury, or other brain issues, you can come to us for any or all of the above diagnostics. You can do any of this testing here at BrainStim whether you continue with treatment here or not.

 

Step 2: Analysis and Treatment Plan

We use a patented, scientific approach with the neurophysiological data gathered through testing to then develop a highly customized treatment plan that is aimed at encouraging healthy brain communication and function. Your treatment plan may involve treatment based on the MeRT, or Magnetic Resonance Therapy, protocols. Or the Nexstim treatment may be more appropriate for your case.

MeRT, or Magnetic Resonance Therapy, involves the use of a quantitative EEG (qEEG), which is a comprehensive brain scan, for use in tailoring a treatment plan for highly individualized TMS. MeRT is used for the treatment of Depression/MDD/TRD, PTSD, Autism, Traumatic Brain Injuries or Concussions, Anxiety, Tinnitus, Addiction issues or Substance Use Disorders, and for improving Focus and Memory and overall Brain Performance. For more information about MeRT, click here to go to our What is MeRT page.

Nexstim is used to treat MDD (Major Depressive Disorder), TRD (Treatmentment Resistant Depression), Depression and OCD. It is a highly tailored form of TMS that requires an MRI, which is then used for mapping and specific targeting of TMS treatment. You may qualify for insurance benefits with Nexstim. For more information on Nexstim, click here to go to our Nexstim page.

 

Step 3: Neuromodulation Therapy

In simple terms, we will employ the use of noninvasive magnetic waves directed at specific areas of the brain that are not communicating or connecting as they should, to gently stimulate those regions.

With the thorough diagnostics that we have used to isolate exactly what is happening in each patient’s brain, your customized treatment plan is developed to stimulate and “wake up” regions of the brain that have been affected by a variety of neurological conditions. Whether you are receiving MeRT or Nexstim, a vast array of benefits, improvements, and in many cases miraculous achievements have been seen.

You will simply sit in a comfortable chair while a trained technician carefully positions a simple device on your head. This device produces a magnetic field to induce mild magnetic currents in targeted regions of the brain. There is no pain and no electrical currents, just a slight sensation.

The technician will apply the stimulation for 6-8 seconds per minute. A typical appointment is 45 minutes, 30 minutes of which involves stimulation.

The neuromodulation equipment used has been cleared by the FDA in the treatment of depression and OCD, and may be used off-label for other disorders in the practice of medicine.

 

Step 4: Progress Evaluation

We will perform additional testing after the first stages of treatment, allowing us to assess progress and make any needed modifications. In this way, we are always taking the best and most exacting approach, based on the current neurological state.

 

Step 5: Follow Up Care

Monitor your brain health every 6-months to be proactive and keep you at your optimal brain health using a routine electroencephalogram (EEG).