Plain-English definitions for TMS and accelerated neuromodulation
The terms you’ll see across this site, explained simply. For citations and study details, see our Research & Resources page.
TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation)
A non-invasive treatment that uses gentle magnetic pulses to activate brain circuits involved in mood, focus, and emotional regulation. No anesthesia, no sedation, and nothing enters your bloodstream.
AMPA One System
A portable, camera-guided TMS system. Its guidance confirms the coil stays on target throughout each session, so treatment is consistent and reproducible.
Accelerated Protocol / One Day Protocol
An approach that compresses a full course of TMS, normally spread across six weeks of daily visits, into a small number of precisely spaced sessions, for qualifying patients, in as little as a single day.
Theta-Burst Stimulation
A brief, efficient magnetic pulse pattern. Its short session length is one of the reasons accelerated, single-day protocols are possible.
Neuromodulation
The broader category of treatments, including TMS, that work by influencing the activity of brain circuits directly, rather than through systemic medication.
Neuroplasticity Enhancer
A non-addictive, non-sedating compound (an NMDA-receptor modulator) used alongside stimulation to help the brain “lock in” the changes created during treatment, supporting more durable results.
MDD (Major Depressive Disorder)
The clinical term for depression. It is the condition for which the AMPA One System holds its primary FDA clearance.
Treatment-Resistant Depression
Depression that has not responded adequately to prior antidepressant medication in the current episode. This is a common reason patients seek out accelerated TMS.
FDA Clearance / 510(k)
The regulatory pathway (510(k)) by which the FDA cleared the AMPA One System as a Class II device for treating Major Depressive Disorder in adults. Clearance means the device has met the FDA’s safety and effectiveness standards for its intended use.
Remission vs. Response
“Response” means a meaningful reduction in symptoms. “Remission” means symptoms have dropped to a minimal, largely symptom-free level. Published accelerated-TMS research reports both figures separately because they measure different degrees of improvement.
Camera-Guided Targeting
A precision system that tracks the position of the treatment coil in real time, keeping stimulation locked on the correct target region throughout a session.
Left Prefrontal Cortex
The region of the brain most closely tied to mood regulation, and the primary target for TMS delivered for depression.
Want definitions specific to a condition? Visit the Depression, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, or Anxiety pages.
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