rTMS: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Athens
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate targeted specific areas of the brain. It does not require anesthesia, is well-tolerated, and the patient can usually return immediately to daily activities. At Smart CNS Center in Athens, individualized rTMS and iTBS protocols are applied, mainly for depression, treatment-resistant depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and for the treatment of cocaine addiction following psychiatric evaluation.
rTMS in 30 seconds:
- • No anesthesia or systemic drugs
- • Session duration: 3 - 40 minutes
- • Immediate return to daily activities
- • Approved for Resistant Depression & OCD
- • High remission rates without systemic side effects
- • Clinically applied for 20+ years
When does it make sense to consider rTMS?
rTMS makes sense primarily when depression or OCD symptoms persist despite appropriate therapeutic efforts, when medication has not yielded adequate results, or when side effects limit tolerance. It does not automatically replace psychiatric monitoring or pharmacological treatment; it is evaluated as a potential option following a clinical assessment, history of previous treatments, and selection of the appropriate protocol.
How to use this guide
This page serves as a central guide for rTMS and iTBS. Below, you will find organized sections covering the procedure, safety, cost, key indications, and scientific background of the therapy. Each section links to a detailed subpage, allowing the reader to start with the basic overview and proceed to more specialized information.
1 Core Information & Procedure
What are rTMS and iTBS?
Learn what rTMS and iTBS are, their main differences, and how these approved non-invasive neuromodulation treatments are applied in practice without anaesthesia.
Safety & Side Effects — What to Expect
A detailed guide to rTMS safety: common and rare side effects, contraindications, and comparison with pharmacotherapy. By Dr Paschalis Gkikas, Medical Director of Smart CNS Center.
rTMS: Cost and Procedure
Everything you need to know before starting rTMS treatment at Smart CNS Center: duration, sessions, initial assessment, and how the final cost is determined.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about rTMS
Clear answers to the most common questions about rTMS/iTBS treatment: safety, pain, duration, and when results may appear.
2 Clinical Indications: For whom?
Approved & Clinical ApplicationsmPNS: Magnetic Peripheral Nerve Stimulation
What is mPNS, how it helps regulate nerve circuits, and its role in chronic neuropathic, post-traumatic, or post-surgical pain.
rTMS for Depression (MDD)
How rTMS is used in Major Depressive Disorder without medication. Learn when it is indicated and how the clinical assessment works.
Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD)
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD): when antidepressants do not help sufficiently. rTMS as a modern, clinically indicated treatment option.
Chronic Pain
rTMS in chronic pain: neuromodulation of the motor cortex as a therapeutic strategy for treatment-resistant pain syndromes.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
rTMS in OCD: neuromodulation of the cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical circuit for the treatment of resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Addictions: Cocaine Use
rTMS in cocaine use disorder: neuromodulation of impulse and craving through prefrontal cortex targeting.
3 Scientific Background: How it works?
Frequently Asked Questions about rTMS
What is rTMS?
rTMS is a non-invasive neuromodulation therapy that uses magnetic pulses to target and stimulate specific areas of the brain. It does not require anesthesia, and the patient remains awake during the session.
What is the difference between rTMS and ECT?
rTMS is not electroconvulsive therapy. It does not induce seizures, does not require general anesthesia, and is not associated with the same procedure or cognitive side effect profile that ECT may have.
What is the difference between rTMS and iTBS?
iTBS is a specific, shorter magnetic stimulation protocol belonging to the family of TMS therapies. The choice between rTMS and iTBS is made based on the indication, history, tolerance, and clinical evaluation.
When is rTMS recommended for depression?
rTMS is considered primarily when depression has not responded adequately to prior treatment attempts or when medication causes tolerance issues. The indication is established following a psychiatric evaluation and a review of the treatment history.
Is rTMS safe?
rTMS is generally well-tolerated when applied using appropriate safety protocols. The most common discomforts are temporary local scalp discomfort at the application site or a headache, while serious adverse events are rare.
How many sessions of rTMS are needed?
The number of sessions depends on the indication, the protocol, and the patient's response. A series of repeated sessions is typically required, with a duration determined on an individual basis.
When do you see results from rTMS?
Response time varies from patient to patient. Some notice changes within the first few weeks, while in other cases, response is evaluated after completing most of the protocol.
Can rTMS be combined with medication?
In many cases, rTMS can be administered alongside pharmacological treatment. The decision is made individually by the psychiatrist, based on the diagnosis, history, tolerance, and goals.
rTMS in Athens:
From Evaluation to Remission
At Smart CNS Center (Syntagma), rTMS therapy is not a standardized procedure. Every patient follows a structured path:
- 01. Diagnostic Evaluation & History
- 02. Individualized Mapping
- 03. Protocol Selection (HF-rTMS, iTBS, etc.)
Latest generation medical equipment and the expertise of Paschalis Gkikas ensure maximum safety and efficacy in treatment.
Book Evaluation Appointment →15A Xenofontos Str, Syntagma
