Neuronetics
Transforming Neurohealth

Today, psychiatrists are struggling to improve patient compliance while keeping up with traditional treatment options for major depressive disorder (MDD). For decades, psychiatrists have relied on systemic therapy: administering antidepressant drugs or using invasive treatment approaches such as conducting electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) to help patients control, and subsequently ensure long-term remission of their depression. However, ECT may cause cognitive impairment for some people, and systemic antidepressant medications may have diminishing efficacy with potential side effects, resulting in many patients choosing to discontinue treatment. Addressing this problem with the first-to-market non-drug, non-invasive, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) solution—NeuroStar Advanced Therapy—is Neuronetics. “With its ability to deliver effective treatment via a 19-minute walk-in/walkout session, our solution offers psychiatrists an alternative therapy to renew and restore the lives of their patients suffering from major depressive disorder,” says Chris Thatcher, President and CEO at Neuronetics.

At its core, Neuronetics is driven to address some of the primary challenges that hinder psychiatrists from delivering an effective patient outcome. NeuroStar is a treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain that are underactive in depression, and is indicated for adult patients who failed to receive satisfactory improvement from prior antidepressant medication in the current episode. Unlike ECT, NeuroStar is non-invasive and does not require anesthesia. It treats depression at the source with its unique contact sensing technology. When patients move during treatment, contact with a general TMS coil can be compromised. As little as a one-millimeter movement away from the head can result in a 40 percent loss of the prescribed dose. NeuroStar’s precision ensures patients receive the full-prescribed dose. Additionally, NeuroStar is free from systemic side effects often associated with antidepressant medications.

The company also provides clinical training and other post-implementation support services, which allow psychiatrists to leverage NeuroStar to its fullest capabilities and potential for patients.

Moreover, Thatcher emphasizes that leveraging NeuroStar does not disrupt a practice’s patient-centric workflow; but rather enables psychiatrists to meaningfully treat more patients every day. Apart from these differentiators, the company also offers advisory and consultation services to help psychiatrists operationalize and navigate the medical expense reimbursement guidelines. NeuroStar is widely reimbursed by most commercial and government health plans, including Medicare and Tricare.

So, what is under the hood of NeuroStar Advanced Therapy? Thatcher notes that NeuroStar is backed by extensive research performed intop clinical trial facilities. Information on NeuroStar’s efficacy, durability, and safety profile has been a part of 11 clinical studies with 24 peer-reviewed publications. “NeuroStar is backed with the most clinical research in TMS for depression, and studies have shown that this treatment may help patients overcome their depression. Ultimately, we are committed to our mission of renewing lives by transforming neurohealth. We are helping physicians put the needs of their patients first with this transformative, proven option,” adds Thatcher. With NeuroStar’s demonstrated ability to make remission from depression a reality, Neuronetics installed its solution in more than 800 practices across the United States. Separately, Neuronetics collects real-time patient data from clinical practice sites across the country to inform its Outcomes Registry. Since 2016, the company has collected data from over 3,500 evaluable patients, and the number is growing with each passing quarter—making it the largest outcomes registry for MDD.

As a best-in-class technology, Neuronetics has had many success stories. NeuroStar providers feel confident in prescribing the treatment to patients who meet the criteria and in turn, many patients have achieved remission from their depression.

Moving ahead, Neuronetics plans to expand the capabilities of the NeuroStar system and pursue additional indications for other psychiatric disorders, such as bipolar disorder. At the same time, the company is also keen on expanding operations in Japan, where approximately 2.4 million people are diagnosed with MDD. Through expansion efforts, Neuronetics is helping the country’s psychiatrists offer this non-invasive psychiatric therapy to as many patients as possible. With such a promising roadmap, Neuronetics is well on its way to fulfill its mission to transform lives.