Cognitive Performance

MeRT Can Help to Optimize Cognitive Performance

This treatment is now available at the Brain Treatment Center. It’s called MeRT, which stands for Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy.

Simply stated we use a magnetic field to stimulate and balance brain function, guided by very sophisticated imaging and diagnostics. It is completely non-invasive and drug-free.

Cognitive Performance can decline over time due to age, chronic stress, and certain health issues. Even if you are an overall healthy person, daily life, stressors, and other demands can cause burnout. You may not feel as good physically or as mentally sharp as you once were. No matter what your occupation or situation, the times we live in today are full of non-stop activities that can take a toll on you. Most Americans today are not getting enough sleep, which can also exacerbate the mental toll.

Symptoms of decreased cognitive performance can include:

• Poor concentration
• Lack of energy
• Burnout
• Lack of motivation
• Chronic fatigue
• Brain fog
• Depression/anxiety
• Reduced ability to handle stress
• Memory issues
• Overall feelings of dullness or numbness

Call Our New Patient Coordinator to Learn More

(949) 851-3086

MeRT(sm) Treatment Can Help You to Feel Like Your Old Self Again and Regain Your Mental Sharpness!

Doctors Julie Kim and Sandy Lee have brought this state-of-the-art, emerging, technology for Cognitive Performance to the Newport Beach and surrounding areas. MeRT(sm) stands for Magnetic E (EEG/EKG) Resonance Therapy. It is both non-invasive and non-pharmaceutical. It’s used to treat different types of dysregulation in the brain by neuromodulating electrical signals and neural pathways which stimulates and reorganizes brain function, which can help to improve cognitive performance.

Some of the benefits of MeRT(sm) treatment can include:

• Improved sleep
• Increased motivation
• Improved concentration skills
• Better attention span and decreased response to distractions
• Decreased anxiety
• Better mood
• Improved clarity of thinking
• Better decision-making skills
• Improved emotional stability
• Fewer cravings for alcohol and/or drugs
• More energy
• Improved social skills
• Improved self-confidence
• Elevated sports/athletic performance

While the equipment used in MeRT(sm) treatment has been FDA-cleared for depression and OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), it is currently used “off-label” to improve cognitive performance. It is also used “off label” to treat other conditions such as anxiety, traumatic brain injury/concussion, post-traumatic stress disorder, autism, Parkinson’s disease, ADHD, and other developmental disabilities, and the after-effects of stroke.

Some of our patients include CEOs, executives, athletes, and others who feel like their cognitive performance isn’t what it used to be. Stress and daily demands may not be something that you have control over however, MeRT(sm) can sharpen your brain performance, and help you to live a life of vitality again!

Your Brain is as Unique as Your Fingerprints!

The way that your brain functions and reacts are unique to you. No two brains ever function exactly the same. The MeRT(sm) treatment protocol is completely customized specifically for you. We use a quantitative EEG to identify any dysregulation or decline and then use a targeted approach that focuses on improving function in the areas of your brain that are not performing as they should.

Your individual test results allow us to use the data to develop a treatment approach specifically for you in order to optimize your brain function. The treatment protocol uses a magnet to gently stimulate distinct areas of the brain which can lead to improved communication and functionality.

The MeRT Process

MeRT is a non-pharmaceutical and non-invasive treatment.

MeRT (Magnetic E (EKG and EEG) Resonance Therapy is a treatment protocol that evolved from a technology called TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) or rTMS (Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation). However, TMS is a more generalized approach because it is only able to target a single location in the brain with one frequency.

Studies have shown that brain wave oscillations are altered in patients suffering from conditions such as Major Depression Disorder (MDD), Autism, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Anxiety, and more. MeRT treatment protocol uses a magnetic field to balance and stimulate brain function. The technology involves using very sophisticated diagnostics and imaging so that the treatment is customized for each individual and a personalized protocol is then tailored based on the location, frequency, and amount of power used by the magnet, specific to each person’s unique condition.  MeRT is used to improve brain communication, synchronization, and can lead to significant and long-lasting improvements.

Much of the initial MeRT research has been done by the U.S. Department of Defense for veterans returning from combat. There is an article that was published in Defense One that further explains the DOD’s research and the benefits that MeRT(sm) has been shown to have on people suffering from TBI, PTSD, and MDD. Additional studies have been completed in the private sector on other conditions.

What to Expect

Initially, you can expect to come in for your first appointment which will last approximately 45-minutes to an hour. We will gather your new patient paperwork at this time, and then our chief neuro technician will perform a qEEG (quantitative EEG) and EKG which is used to evaluate brain activity and enables us to identify any dysfunction or communication problems in your brain. While this appointment usually takes about 45-minutes, if you are seeking treatment for your child with autism, please plan on spending an hour with us. At your qEEG appointment, we will set up the schedule with you for your assessment period, should you decide to proceed with treatment. 

Your second appointment is 45-minutes long. During this time, you will meet with Dr. Sandy Lee for your clinical evaluation. She will answer any questions that you may have and discuss your applicable treatment plan.

The assessment period of treatment lasts from 1 to 2 weeks, depending on your age. For children who are 10-years old and younger, the assessment period is 1-week long. For anyone who is 11-years and older, the assessment period is 2-weeks long. The assessment period of treatment will help you and us determine how you are responding to treatment. At the end of the assessment period, a second qEEG will be done to note any changes occurring in the brain. 

For children 10 years old and younger completing a 1-week assessment period, the patient will have their initial qEEG/EKG completed, and then attend 4 treatment sessions Monday through Thursday, followed by another qEEg to determine progress in the brain. 

For persons 11 years and older completing a 2-week assessment period, the patient will have their initial qEEG/EKG completed, and then attend treatment sessions the first week, Monday through Friday, and then for the second week, Monday through Thursday for a total of 9 sessions, followed by a repeat qEEG to determine progress.  

Once the assessment period has been completed and we are seeing progress both clinically and on the repeat qEEG, subsequent two-week treatment periods will be scheduled. Because each treatment period lasts for 2-weeks, you must be able to stay in Newport Beach or the surrounding area. We do advise that to get the most out of your treatment, and for long-lasting results, that you are able to stay for an entire 6-weeks of treatment (which includes the assessment period). The comparison between the initial and second qEEG/clinical evaluation will determine if you are responding. You should also start to experience changes in the way you are feeling during this time period. We highly advise a total of 6-weeks of treatment (which includes the assessment period) for optimal and long-lasting results to take effect. 

If you are not yet ready to commit to going through an assessment period of treatment or prefer to have your qEEG and consultation done to ensure you are a candidate for treatment, we do also offer the option of coming in for a qEEG/EKG and consultation with our clinician to see your results before proceeding with the assessment period. 

Please note that results and improvements are based on active and strict observation of our regimens. Results may vary based on the individual users and are not guaranteed. 

Results of therapy can vary per individual. In general, the longer the length of MeRT therapy, the longer the changes remain. Since each brain is unique, the protocol will be different for each patient as it is based on specific qEEG/EKG data from your brain, and the specific condition being treated. Generally, the results of treatment can last a lifetime, though some people do prefer occasional follow-up treatment as needed. 

A typical treatment session takes about 45 minutes. The patient will sit in a chair while the neuro technician administers the treatment via a hand-held magnet that is held near the scalp. The gentle magnetic impulses are delivered for 6-8 seconds each minute. There may be a slight sensation felt while the treatment is occurring, but it is not painful or uncomfortable.

 Each individual is different, and protocols may vary. Your provider will have regularly scheduled follow-up EEGs and meet with you to gauge your progress.

Insurance Coverage

Our clinic does not accept insurance. We can provide you with the appropriate paperwork at the end of your treatment so that you can submit it to your insurance company to see if they would provide you with any reimbursement.

Currently, rTMS is FDA cleared for Depression and OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.) Treatment for all other conditions is considered “off label” at this time, though we are hopeful that treatment for TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) will be FDA cleared at some point in the next couple of years. For non-FDA-approved treatment, it is highly unlikely that any insurance will provide reimbursement for our protocols.

Some patients have reported that they have been able to receive some reimbursement for EEGs or clinical evaluations, depending on their health coverage. Medicare patients have reported that their coverage provides no reimbursement for MeRT.

Additional Payment Options

We take all major credit cards including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.

Care Credit is also an option to assist in financing medical expenses. Care Credit is a separate company from The Brain Treatment Center Newport Beach, and is a credit card that can be used to cover medical expenses and services. They typically offer zero-interest financing for 12 months.

Usually, when you go to the Care Credit website and apply, they will let you know if you are approved very promptly.

Starting as a New Patient

To get started, we will schedule an initial qEEG and then follow that with a consultation with our clinicians who can explain what the results show, and then we will proceed into the assessment period for treatment. During the assessment period, treatment is administered every day, Monday through Friday for the first week, and then Monday through Thursday the second week, followed by a repeat qEEG on Friday to see how you are responding. If there is a positive response to treatment during the assessment period, you will have likely noticed some improvements starting to take place, and we will then schedule for the additional treatment duration.

Typically, MeRT treatment lasts anywhere from 6 – 8 weeks, however, in some cases, additional treatment is recommended for optimal results. Each individual is different, and protocols may vary. Your provider will have regularly scheduled follow-up EEGs and meet with you to gauge your progress.

Contact Our New Patient Coordinator for more Information

It’s normal for patients and their families who are affected by brain disorders to feel frustrated and isolated, and many have lost hope that there is any relief in sight. MeRT(sm) is a treatment protocol that has helped patients restore their brain function, reclaim their lives, and feel passionate about living again. We understand what you are going through,  and our goal is to help guide you through the process so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not MeRT(sm) is the right treatment for you. 

Many of our clinicians and technicians have gone through MeRT(sm)  treatment protocols themselves and have realized firsthand what the treatment has done for them, and as a result, are passionate about helping others to heal too.

Our New Patient Coordinator is available to answer any questions that you may have about how MeRT(sm) can help you specifically. She’ll take the time to listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and put your mind at ease. She can also assist in getting you scheduled with the clinic should you decide to move forward with treatment.

Call Our New Patient Coordinator to Learn More

(949) 851-3086

Or fill in the form below and we will contact you.