The SAINT system, developed by Magus Medical, is FDA approved to treat depression in adults that has not improved from the use of antidepressants, according to a June 11 university news release. It uses MRI scans to create an algorithm that finds the optimal target for precise transcranial magnetic stimulation.
The treatment is first given over the course of five days, and led to a significant reduction in depressive symptoms four weeks after the initial five-day treatment in clinical trials, according to the release.
“[O]ur teams of mental health experts will work seamlessly together to implement the SAINT protocol, tailored to each patient’s individual needs,” Laura Dunn, MD, chair of the department of psychiatry and director of the Psychiatric Research Institute at UAMS, said in the release. “We are excited to bring the future of brain science directly to the people of Arkansas and the entire region.”