New types of treatment for depression: What makes SAINT different from other therapies?
How quickly does SAINT work? What is the success rate for SAINT? Who is eligible for SAINT? What is SAINT therapy? What are the side effects or risks of SAINT?
Joining us to discuss is Nicholas Trapp, MD, assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Iowa. American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts.
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AMA Update July 7, 2025
00:00 New treatment for depression
01:10 What is TMS?
01:18 How does TMS work?
01:50 What is TMS therapy used for?
02:01 TMS conditions
02:47 SAINT TMS vs TMS
03:10 What is a typical TMS treatment course?
03:37 TMS effectiveness
04:22 How is SAINT different from regular TMS?
05:20 Where can I get SAINT treatment?
06:15 SAINT remission
06:27 How effective is SAINT?
07:03 What are the mechanics of SAINT treatment?
08:30 OCD treatment: What conditions does SAINT treat?
09:13 Treatment for depression
09:32 ECT treatment (electroconvulsive therapy)
09:46 What are the side effects and safety concerns?
10:56 SAINT effectiveness
11:59 Is SAINT widely available?
12:16 Challenges with SAINT treatment
12:44 How much does SAINT cost and is it covered by insurance?
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34 Comments
My autistic adult son could use this for both conditions mentioned. I am also watching focused ultrasound treatment. Nobody will accept my son because of the autism comorbidity. Very very frustrating. It makes my son even more depressed.
Thank you. thank you thank you.
Sounds like ECT in a new form. ECT works well.
Will SAINT have applications for ADHD?
has insurance covered this type of treatment?
is there memory loss ?
Does it help BiPolar disorders?
Does it help with OCD?
This has existed for decades.
I hope it pans out. Sounds great!
This is amazing. I hope it becomes widely accessible instead of breakthroughs like weight loss drugs that are so unequally available.
Does attending church qualify as SAINT therapy?
Great information. Thank you.
10 sessions a day for 5 days seems much more feasible than the TMS protocol I was on, which was spread out over 6 weeks and required daily visits for the first 4.
Imagine walking a great distance to the hospital, so there's no parking cost; and by the time you get there, you feel better already.
I have given up ever being happy and getting help with my depression. It has gotten to the point where I just barely exist. I have tried multiple meds, inpatient care, therapy, and nothing has worked. Nothing has provided relief.
One reason I haven’t tried TMS, too much time commitment. I have a job!
Have any patients with non-verbale autism, who appear to suffer physical pain without any actual physical damage, which has led to the proposition the root is brain activity?
Lovely new treatment for the well insured and the well off, no doubt. Like the cure for cancer.
Sorry my son has always had adverse reactions to electrical stimulation.
Has it been tried on people living with Parkinson’s? If deep brain stimulation works for many of them, why wouldn’t this? Not deep enough? My friend with Parkinson’s says that low dopamine levels is linked to Parkinson’s. Could this technology be used to raise those levels?
Please, is Trans-Cranial Magnetic Stimulation the same thing as "Trans-Cranial Direct Current Stimulation"?
Another possible health benefit: TCMS and/or TCDCS may also successfully treat learning disabilities, such as dyscalculia (learning disability in mathematics).
Take aways: contact yur insurance company to reimburse… and don't forget to take off your nice watch when getting treated.
Has this been presented to the VA for veterans yet?
Support Trans-youth. ❤
Could you review LDN Low Dose Naltrexone for autoimmune diseases and depression?
Yeah I thought it had been around awhile. Exciting new developments. Great news and hope.
I had TMS in combination with Spravato. Since I discontinued treatment, I suffer from a form of tinnitis called musical ear. IT'S HORRIBLE. None stop Playlist of music in my ears at first, which then becomes a loop in my brain. 😢
Transcranial magnetic stimulation was too painful for me. It felt like my head was being hit with a hammer and that was just my 2nd session. I went thru so much to be accepted – psych eval, insurance approval, med history, scheduling etc. and then not be able to get it was disappointing because I felt it was my last hope. They should do a sample session and save the patients that can't tolerate it a lot of time. I still don't know why it was so painful. They gave me no answers.
Here's a question: How often do you need booster treatments with this new protocol? With regular TMS, after the initial treatment, you need a 45-minute booster every 6-8 weeks.
So its basically worthless for a normal person unless you have $$$$$$$.
What a surprise.
What is the cost of getting Saint?
Are there any clinical trials one could apply to be a part of?
Any chance that this SAINT procedure might be useful in treating "brain fog" associated with Long Covid?