Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has evolved from a promising research technology into an established treatment option for depression in many healthcare systems. But how does a new treatment move from scientific evidence into routine clinical practice?

In this episode of the Neurocare Academy Podcast, Dr. Trevor Brown is joined by Dr. Mohamed Abdelghani, Consultant Psychiatrist, international TMS educator, former President of the Clinical TMS Society, and founder of one of London's earliest NHS TMS services. Together, they discuss the practical realities of introducing innovative treatments into healthcare systems and the lessons learned from helping establish TMS services within the NHS.

The conversation explores why health economics play a crucial role in driving adoption, why public and clinician awareness still lag behind the evidence, and how expanding access to TMS could help address the growing burden of treatment-resistant depression.

Dr. Abdelghani also shares his perspective on the future of neuromodulation, including accelerated TMS protocols, connectivity-guided treatment approaches, and emerging applications beyond depression.

In this episode:

• The journey of TMS from research to NHS implementation
• Building one of London's first NHS TMS services
• The role of health economics in healthcare innovation
• Challenges surrounding awareness and access to TMS
• Accelerated TMS and the future of treatment delivery
• Connectivity-guided neuromodulation
• Potential future applications in ADHD and other conditions

Key Takeaways

• TMS became NHS-funded in 2016 and continues to expand across the UK.
• Successfully implementing innovation requires clinical, operational, and economic expertise.
• Greater public awareness is essential if more patients are to benefit from evidence-based neuromodulation treatments.

Neurocare Academy features conversations with leading experts at the forefront of neuroscience, neuromodulation, and evidence-based mental healthcare.

Post-traumatic stress disorder remains one of the most difficult mental health conditions to treat, yet advances in neuromodulation are creating new opportunities for patients and clinicians alike.

In this episode of the neurocare Academy Podcast, Dr. Trevor Brown is joined by Dr. Noah Philip, Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Brown University, to discuss how technologies such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) are reshaping PTSD treatment and what the future of precision psychiatry may look like.

The conversation explores the growing evidence supporting TMS for PTSD, practical considerations for implementation, evolving insights from brain connectivity research, and the promise of accelerated treatment protocols. Dr. Philip also shares his perspective on one of the field's most exciting frontiers: low-intensity focused ultrasound and its potential to influence deep brain circuits non-invasively.

In this episode:

• The rise of TMS as a treatment for PTSD
• Practical implementation in clinical settings
• Brain network models of PTSD
• Accelerated neuromodulation approaches
• Maintenance treatment and durability
• The future of focused ultrasound
• Precision psychiatry and personalized care

neurocare Academy features conversations with leading experts at the forefront of neuroscience, neuromodulation, and evidence-based mental health care.

Can transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) be adapted to better address anxiety symptoms in patients with depression?

In this episode of the neurocare Academy Podcast, Dr. Trevor Brown sits down with Dr. Shan H. Siddiqi, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, to discuss a groundbreaking randomized clinical trial investigating whether different TMS targets can influence anxiety and depression symptoms differently.

The conversation explores the growing field of precision psychiatry, where treatment selection is increasingly informed by brain circuits and symptom profiles rather than diagnosis alone. Dr. Siddiqi explains how his team's research identified a dorsomedial prefrontal cortex target that may improve anxiety symptoms more effectively in patients experiencing both depression and anxiety, while maintaining comparable antidepressant effects.

Beyond the study results, the discussion examines how these protocols can be implemented in everyday clinical practice, the role of neuronavigation and imaging-guided targeting, and why accumulating evidence from multiple studies is helping shape the future of personalized brain stimulation.

In this episode:

• Why anxiety and depression may involve distinct brain circuits.
• Findings from a randomized head-to-head TMS trial.
• The potential clinical relevance of the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex target.
• Practical considerations for implementing new TMS targets in routine care.
• The future of biomarkers, patient stratification, and personalized neuromodulation.

Related publication:
Read the study in Molecular Psychiatry

The neurocare Academy Podcast features conversations with leading researchers, clinicians, and innovators exploring the latest developments in neuroscience, neuromodulation, and evidence-based mental health care.

Join Dr. Trevor Brown as he interviews Dr. Joshua Brown, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, for an in-depth conversation on the latest advances in transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and neuroplasticity. Dr. Brown shares personal stories from his journey in neuroscience, reflects on the legacy of Dr. Nolan Williams, and discusses the mechanisms behind TMS, including the role of synaptic plasticity, protocol selection, and the importance of sleep and brain health in treatment outcomes.

Whether you’re a clinician, researcher, or someone interested in mental health innovation, this episode offers practical insights into optimizing TMS therapy, understanding individual differences, and the future of brain stimulation. Discover how neuroplasticity shapes learning, memory, and recovery - and why the field of TMS is on the brink of transformative change.

Topics covered:

• The legacy of Dr. Nolan Williams in TMS
• Dr. Brown’s career and research journey
• Neuroplasticity: what it means for clinicians and patients
• How TMS protocols are evolving
• The impact of sleep and lifestyle on treatment outcomes
• Advice for clinicians and patients
• Exciting new directions in TMS research

Subscribe for more interviews with leading experts in neuroscience and mental health.

From Laboratory to Clinic: The Evolving Landscape of tES Technologies,
with Professor Anrea Antal

Join us for an insightful conversation with Professor Andrea Antal, Vice President of the European Society for Brain Stimulation and a leading figure in non-invasive brain stimulation research. In this interview, Professor Antal shares her journey from early research in Hungary and the US to her current work at the University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany.

We discuss the evolution of transcranial electrical stimulation (tES), the importance of safety and ethical guidelines, and the latest advances in personalized neuromodulation. Professor Antal also addresses the challenges and opportunities in making these treatments more accessible, the role of clinician oversight in home-based therapies, and the future of brain stimulation for conditions like cognitive decline and long COVID.

Whether you're a clinician, researcher, or simply interested in the future of neuroscience, this interview offers valuable perspectives on the responsible development and application of brain stimulation technologies.

In this episode, Dr. Trevor Brown sits down with Dr. Kirsten Peterson, renowned performance psychologist and former US Olympic team consultant, to explore the realities of high performance, mental health, and the limits of grit. Drawing on her experience with elite athletes and her book When Grit’s Not Enough, Dr. Peterson shares what really happens inside a performance psychology session, the challenges athletes face, and how burnout and anxiety can impact even the most driven individuals.

Topics discussed include:

The myth of “mental toughness” and why grit alone isn’t enough
How COVID-19 disrupted the structure of elite sports and affected athlete wellbeing
The importance of self-awareness and how it can be trained
Recognizing and managing performance anxiety and fear
The role of trauma and burnout in high achievers
The power of social support and balancing life beyond sport
Dr. Peterson offers practical insights for athletes, coaches, and anyone striving for excellence—reminding us that optimal performance is about more than just pushing harder.

About the series:
The neurocare group is a global network of experts in neuroscience, psychology, and neuromodulation, dedicated to advancing mental health and performance science. In this interview series, neurocare Academy lead Dr. Trevor Brown connects with leading minds in the field to discuss the latest research and clinical applications in neuromodulation, including TMS, tDCS, EEG, and Neurofeedback.

Learn more:
🌐 www.neurocaregroup.com
🎓 Practitioner training: www.neurocaregroup.com/academy/
📚 Online courses: www.lms.neurocaregroup.com
👩‍⚕️ Patient info: www.neurocaregroup.com/patients/

#PerformancePsychology #MentalHealth #NeurocareGroup #HumanPerformance #Grit #Burnout #Anxiety #SportsPsychology #Olympics #Resilience #Neuroscience

Dr. Shan Siddiqi, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, joins neurocare’s Dr. Trevor Brown to discuss a transformative initiative in the field of brain stimulation. Together, they explore the creation of an accredited subspecialty that unites psychiatry, neurology, and neurosurgery under a standardized training framework.
In this conversation, Dr. Siddiqi shares his journey from neuroimaging research to leading efforts in image-guided brain stimulation. He explains how the Brain Stimulation Society was formed following a summit of over 55 international experts, all committed to legitimizing and formalizing clinical training in TMS, DBS, ECT, and emerging neuromodulation techniques.
They discuss:
• Why accreditation is essential for clinical consistency and legitimacy
• How cross-disciplinary collaboration can accelerate innovation
• The future of personalized TMS and pharmacological augmentation
• Upcoming steps in launching the subspecialty and certification process

About Dr. Shan Siddiqi
Dr. Siddiqi is a leading researcher in image-guided brain stimulation and Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School. His work focuses on translating neuroscience into clinical practice, with applications in depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and cognitive disorders.
About the series

The neurocare group is a global network of experts in neuroscience, psychology, and neuromodulation, dedicated to advancing mental health and performance science. In this interview series, neurocare Academy lead Dr. Trevor Brown connects with leading minds in the field to discuss the latest research and clinical applications in neuromodulation, including TMS, tDCS, EEG, and Neurofeedback.
To learn more about the neurocare group and its mission visit: www.neurocaregroup.com

Are you a practitioner interested in applying TMS and other neuromodulation techniques in your practice?
Start with one of our online courses at: www.lms.neurocaregroup.com
Or explore in-person training and supervision: www.neurocaregroup.com/academy/

Are you a patient looking for more information or a clinic near you?
Visit: www.neurocaregroup.com/patients/

#BrainStimulation #TMS #DBS #Neurostimulation #Psychiatry #Neurology #MentalHealth #ClinicalCare #NeurocareGroup #Neuroscience #DepressionTreatment #Accreditation #MedicalEducation #Neuroplasticity #PersonalizedMedicine #HealthcareProfessionals

Dr. Jonathan Downar, Psychiatrist and Associate Professor at the University of Toronto, joins neurocare’s Dr. Trevor Brown to discuss a groundbreaking new approach to Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). The "ONE-D Trial" explores an accelerated, single-day TMS protocol designed to optimize neuroplasticity and enhance treatment outcomes for depression.

Unlike traditional TMS protocols requiring weeks of daily sessions, the ONE-D protocol delivers 20 sessions of intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) over a single day, combined with D-cycloserine to boost neuroplasticity. Early findings indicate a delayed but robust treatment response, with remission rates increasing over six weeks post-treatment.

In this conversation, Dr. Downar explains the methodology, patient selection, and future implications of this innovative approach. They discuss how the ONE-D protocol compares to existing accelerated methods like the Stanford SAINT protocol and explore its potential applications for OCD, anxiety, and neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.

About Dr. Jonathan Downar
Dr. Downar is an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto and a leading researcher in neuromodulation and accelerated TMS protocols. His work focuses on refining non-invasive brain stimulation techniques to improve accessibility and clinical efficacy.

About the series
The neurocare group is a global network of experts in neuroscience, psychology, and neuromodulation, dedicated to advancing mental health and performance science. In this interview series, neurocare Academy lead Dr Trevor Brown interviews leading minds in this field on the state of research and effective models of care in mental health and cognitive performance. To learn more about the neurocare group and its mission visit www.neurocaregroup.com.

Are you a practitioner interested in learning how you can apply TMS and other neuromodulation techniques in your own practice? Get started with one of our online courses in neuromodulation at: www.lms.neurocaregroup.com. neurocare academy also offers in-person training and supervision in workshops throughout the world. For more information visit: www.neurocaregroup.com/academy/

If you are a patient looking for more information about these techniques or to find one of our clinics worldwide, visit www.neurocaregroup.com/patients/

#TMS #rTMS #MagneticStimulation #TranscranialMagneticStimulation #Neurostimulation #ClinicalCare #Psychiatry #neuroscience #MentalHealth #TMSClinic #DepressionTreatment #HealthcareProfessionals #TMSresearch #iTBS #HealthFrontiers #Neuroplasticity #CognitiveScience