New Brunswick Initiates Pilot Program for Treating Major Depressive Disorder

New Brunswick Launches Pilot Project for Major Depressive Disorder Treatment

New Brunswick has initiated a new pilot project aimed at treating major depressive disorder.

The treatment, called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), is now covered by Medicare. It involves delivering brief pulses of electrical current through a non-invasive procedure to modulate brain activity.

Officials highlight the significance of this treatment, particularly since at least one-third of individuals with major depressive disorder do not respond to traditional antidepressants or psychotherapy.

Research indicates promising outcomes, with a 75 percent response rate and a 49 percent remission rate associated with rTMS.

Currently, the treatment is available at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital in Fredericton, as well as at community clinics in Saint John and Moncton.

The two-year pilot project aims to treat up to 200 patients and is budgeted at $4.4 million.