New rTMS Centre of Excellence: A Collaboration of CAMH and MindCare Centres of Canada Opening February 5, 2009

CAMH and MindCare Centres of Canada are pleased to announce their collaboration to establish a new Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) Centre of Excellence in Toronto. The clinic will offer a non-invasive form of brain stimulation that has been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of major depressive disorder.

rTMS therapy is a safe, effective and rapid-acting treatment for those who are unable to tolerate medications or who do not respond to them. The therapy works by sending a beam of electro-magnetic pulses through the scalp and the skull to specific brain centres associated with depression. Once the pulses reach the brain they are able to alter very specific neurons to relieve the symptoms of depression. The treatment is effective in up to two-thirds of patients after just 3 - 6 weeks of therapy.

The clinic will be operated by MindCare Centres of Canada, with CAMH providing oversight and medical supervision. According to Dr. Benoit Mulsant, Physician-in-Chief at CAMH, "this form of partnership will allow many more people to receive the benefit of rTMS than would be possible through CAMH alone."

The treatment is not currently covered by OHIP, but patients are able to seek coverage from extended insurance providers or from some Employee Assistance Programs on a case-by-case basis. Twenty-five percent of sessions will be available on a pro bono or compassionate basis to established CAMH clients. The treatment is available through referral from a medical practitioner.

To learn if you qualify or to request an information package, please visit the MindCare Centres website at www.mindcarecentres.com or contact an rTMS Centre of Excellence Patient Care Representative at 647.344.7867.