# Does TMS Therapy Cause Memory Loss?

- Link: https://www.alquimedez.com/does-tms-therapy-cause-memory-loss
- Published: 2021-09-13T06:54:51+00:00
- Author: alquimedezhemo

The short answer is no! Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy has been
systematically studied for its impact on cognition and memory. Multiple clinical
trials and studies have proven that TMS therapy does not impact cognition, concentration,
or memory negatively.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) also sometimes known as Repetitive Transcranial
Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is generally considered to be a non-invasive therapy
that stimulates the neurotransmitters with the use of magnetic coils that generate
electromagnetic pulses. However, there is a small risk of seizure from TMS, particularly
in patients with a history of head injury.

When compared to Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), which is commonly used to treat
people with major depressive disorder and other mental illnesses, TMS is less invasive
and has little to no adverse effects on memory. Whereas, in ECT short-term confusion,
problems with concentration and short-term memory loss are common. Some ECT patients
have also reported long-term issues with memory as a side effect of the therapy,
which may remain indefinitely in some cases. The main reason – ECT causes therapeutic
seizures to correct mental disruptions that despite our best effects can lead to
serious side effects, including irreversible brain cell damage and negative impacts
on cognition.

In fact, clinical trial and further studies are establishing a link between the 
effectiveness of TMS as a memory aid and its positive effects on brain health. TMS
therapy has shown to help regulate brain signals, mood, and learning, which can 
be one of the reasons why it is so effective against several mental disorders including
anxiety, OCD, and autism.

TMS therapy is not a first-line treatment for depression and anxiety. Health providers
usually opt for traditional depression treatments, including anti-depressant therapy
and talk therapy. The patients who do not respond to both of these treatments are
recommended the TMS therapy. So, if you or anyone you know is suffering from depression,
keep in mind that TMS is usually the health provider’s last option if other treatments
fail to control depression symptoms.

Although, TMS is an FDA approved treatment, however, more research is required to
come to a more definite conclusion about TMS and its long-term effects because not
only has TMS shown the clear signs of no memory loss, it has also been observed 
that TMS can improve memory. However, it is not yet known for how long the memory
improvement lasts after brain stimulation, and how many sessions does it require
for showing long-lasting results.

With time and more research, we will be able to find out whether or not TMS can 
be a prospect treatment for Alzheimer’s patients, and whether it can offer long-
lasting benefits to patients that suffering from diseases that are associated with
memory loss.

It is a long time to go before we can conclude the possibilities of TMS for improving
memory, but by the time we have enough evidence to support memory improvement, we
can safely say that TMS does not cause memory loss.