How Depression Affects Your Brain and how rTMS Can Help

You know that depression can affect your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. But did you also know that it can affect the structure and function of your brain? Fortunately, the brain is powerful, so this disruption is often correctable. One way to improve brain structure and function is with rTMS, which we provide here at BrainCare Carlsbad. Let’s dive into how all this works.

How Depression Affects Your Brain Structure and Function

1. Chemical Imbalances

Your brain uses chemicals called neurotransmitters to send messages between brain cells. Serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine are the main ones connected to mood regulation. In depression, you may not have enough of these chemicals, or they may not function properly, and that makes it hard to control your mood or emotions.

2. Brain Structure Changes

Depression can change the size of some brain parts:

The hippocampus, which helps with memory and emotion, can shrink. This is likely due to high cortisol levels (the stress hormone), which can damage brain cells over time.
The prefrontal cortex is involved in decision-making, planning, and controlling emotions. Depression often leads to decreased activity in this area.
The amygdala controls our emotional responses, like fear and pleasure. In depression, the amygdala can become overactive. And this can lead to exaggerated emotional responses to adverse situations.

3. Trouble Making New Connections

Depression disrupts communication between different brain areas, especially the prefrontal cortex and the amygdala. This makes it harder for the brain to regulate emotions and respond to stress.

4. Brain Inflammation

Recent studies show a link between depression and brain inflammation. Uncontrolled brain inflammation can hurt or kill brain cells. It can also prevent new brain cells from growing and speed up brain aging.

5. Cognitive and Emotional Impact

These brain changes can cause cognitive symptoms like difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, and indecisiveness. It can also cause emotional symptoms like overwhelming sadness and hopelessness.

How rTMS Can Help Your Depressed Brain Recover

rTMS is a non-invasive treatment using magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of your brain. Here’s how it helps the brain recover from depression:

1. Targets Specific Brain Areas

rTMS focuses on a part of your brain called the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). This area is often less active in people with depression, and rTMS can help boost its activity. This can improve mood regulation and reduce depressive symptoms.

2. Balances Brain Signals

rTMS affects the release of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. This helps rebalance these chemicals in the brain, addressing one of the core issues of depression.

3. Boosts Neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to change and form new connections. rTMS promotes neuroplasticity, helping the brain “rewire” itself in healthier ways.

4. Restores Functional Connectivity

By improving the connectivity between brain regions like the prefrontal cortex and amygdala, rTMS helps the brain better regulate emotions and manage stress. This restored communication can help you balance emotional responses and think more clearly.

5. Reduces Brain Inflammation

Some studies show that rTMS may help reduce inflammation in the brain. By normalizing immune responses, rTMS may provide another pathway to recovery.

6. Enhances the Effects of Psychotherapy

When used alongside psychotherapy, rTMS can make the brain more receptive to therapy. It allows patients to more fully engage in cognitive and emotional work. This can lead to greater improvements during therapy sessions.

Benefits of rTMS

For many, the benefits of rTMS last long after the initial treatments. Some of these include:

Improved mood, reduced depressive and anxiety symptoms
Increased energy, motivation, and improved ability to experience pleasure
Better sleep quality and improved appetite/eating patterns
Enhanced concentration, memory, and cognitive function
Better emotional regulation and reduced physical symptoms (e.g., headaches, body aches)
Enhanced social engagement and interpersonal relationships
Reduced suicidal thoughts and increased sense of well-being
Fewer side effects and potential for sustained improvement (compared to antidepressants)
Improved work or academic performance and increased self-esteem/confidence

As with any medical treatment, the effectiveness of rTMS can vary from person to person. Not everyone will get all these benefits, and some may have greater improvements in certain areas than others.

Yet, with so many potential benefits and few issues, rTMS is becoming a more popular choice for people wanting relief from their depression.

If you or someone you love is struggling with depression, talk to us about your options. With the right help, your brain can change for the better.