Conditions Treated
with MeRT

What are the conditions treated with MeRT?

Conditions treated with MeRT® include many neurological issues. Below, we lay out some of the most common conditions we treat, with links to individual pages for more detailed information.

MeRT (Magnetic EKG/EEG Resonance Therapy) is an emerging technology that aims to improve brain function and communication. MeRT employs FDA-cleared equipment for major depressive disorder and OCD, but it’s also used off-label for many other conditions. The FDA clearance studies are progressing for TBI, PTSD, and ASD.

We use MeRT off-label for conditions like Autism, ADHD, Learning Disorders, Dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and Anxiety, among other brain disorders, seeing encouraging improvements in symptoms.

EXPERIENCE

More than 10 Years of Experience Working with MeRT

Dr. Julie Kim has been serving as Medical Director of Brain Treatment Centers in Newport Beach, San Diego, and Cardiff since 2013.

She has dedicated the last decade to those in need of MeRT® (Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy) and has treated over 6,000 patients with MeRT at the flagship Brain Treatment Center in Newport Beach.

MeRT evolved from a technology called rTMS (repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation). However, MeRT is much more customized for each patient based on their brain scans and symptoms.

Studies have shown altered brain wave oscillations in patients suffering from conditions such as Major Depression Disorder (MDD), Autism, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Anxiety, and more. The MeRT treatment protocol uses a magnetic field to balance and stimulate brain function.

Read these simple 5-Steps…

Talk with our New Patient Coordinator
Initial Analysis
Assessment Period
Full Treatment Program
Final Testing

Talk with our New Patient Coordinator

Our New Patient Coordinator is here to help

Call us and talk with our New Patient Coordinator. She will take the time to answer any questions you have as explain things. You can discuss your specific circumstances and she can explain how it all works.

This consultation is free of charge and there are no obligations to move forward with any further steps.

If you would like to take the next steps to see if you or your loved one may benefit from MeRT, she can schedule a qEEG (brain scan) and a consultation to discuss the results with our clinician.

Call (949) 418-1108

Initial Analysis

Woman getting an EEG as part of her MeRT treatment

The qEEG and Consultation

If you are interested in seeing if MeRT treatment is right for you, we will initially schedule two appointments, both of which last about 45 minutes.

For the initial analysis, you will come in for a comprehensive testing appointment. We will gather your new patient paperwork, and then our chief neuro technician will perform a qEEG and EKG to enable us to identify any dysfunction or communication problems in your brain. Should you decide to proceed with treatment, we will schedule your assessment period.

If you are not yet ready to commit to going through an assessment period of treatment or prefer your qEEG and consultation done to ensure you are a candidate for treatment, we 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.

Your second appointment is also 45 minutes. During this time, you will meet with our clinician Kayleigh Prowse for your consultation. She will discuss your qEEG results, answer any questions you may have and discuss your applicable treatment plan. Dr. Julie Kim, our Medical Director, oversees all treatment for each patient.

Assessment Period

Two Weeks of MeRT followed by new testing

The assessment period of treatment lasts two weeks. This assessment period will help you — and us — determine how you are responding to treatment.

You will have your initial qEEG/EKG and then attend treatment sessions for two weeks. The first week will be Monday through Friday, and the second week, Monday through Thursday, nine sessions in total, followed by a repeat qEEG to determine progress and note any changes occurring in your brain.

A typical treatment session takes about 45 minutes. You will sit in a chair while the neuro-technician administers the treatment near the scalp via a hand-held magnet. We deliver gentle magnetic impulses for six to eight seconds each minute. You may feel a slight sensation while the treatment is occurring, but it is not painful or uncomfortable.

Full Treatment Program

Continuing Treatment

Once the assessment period is complete, and we are seeing progress clinically and on the qEEG, we will schedule subsequent two-week treatment periods. Because each treatment period lasts for two weeks, you must be able to stay in Newport Beach or the surrounding area. We advise that to get the most out of your treatment — and for long-lasting results — you stay for an entire six 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. Typically, MeRT treatment lasts anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks. However, we recommend additional treatment in some cases 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.

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 treated. Generally, the results of treatment can last a lifetime, though some people prefer occasional follow-up treatment as needed. But each person is different, and protocols may vary. Your provider will have regularly scheduled follow-up EEGs and meet with you to gauge your progress.

Final Testing

Review of Changes and Improvements

An additional qEEG is performed at the end of treatment to assess and take stock of the benefits and improvements that have occurred as a result of the full treatment protocol.

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. Plus, the results of therapy can vary per individual. In general, the longer the length of MeRT therapy, the longer the changes remain.

Conditions Treated with MeRT Include:

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism is one of the most common conditions treated with MeRT at our clinic. For autism, early intervention is crucial to the child’s development. MeRT has shown in many studies to have a high rate of symptom improvement, such as eye contact, speech, emotional contact, improved mood, and more.

We offer MeRT treatment for children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Studies have shown that it can be instrumental in helping them develop skills to function more normally.

Many different types of therapies can help with autism, and MeRT can be used along with any of them.

For more information about how the Brain Treatment Center Newport Beach uses MeRT treatment for Autism, click here.

Depression and Major Depressive Disorder

Depression, particularly treatment-resistant depression (TRD), is one of the most common conditions treated with MeRT. According to the Mayo Clinic, over three million people are diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder each year. And new research suggests that altered neural circuitry can create risk factors for depression.

MeRT uses rTMS (repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation), which is FDA-approved to treat Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). TMS has been successful in treating depression, particularly when a patient has not responded to medication or other therapies.

Clinically depressed patients have visible markers in their EEG studies. This typically comprises an imbalance in brainwave activity between the left and right hemispheres, called asymmetry.

By performing a quantitative EEG on each patient, we can determine their exact brainwave frequency. Then we evaluate the EEG results and develop a treatment plan of targeted rTMS specific to that patient’s unique condition. Then we correct the brain asymmetry by using a magnetic coil to neuromodulate the brain’s electrical activity. As a result, the MeRT protocol can reduce depression symptoms.

To learn more about how the Brain Treatment Center in Newport Beach uses MeRT to treat depression, click here.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, can be a life-altering mental health problem. It is caused by experiencing or witnessing terrifying events, violence, or going through extended periods of extreme stress.

The onset of symptoms can occur right after a stressful time or can appear many years later, such as in child abuse cases. PTSD can be severe enough to completely disrupt someone’s life and make it difficult to function normally.

New research is confirming that factors that may contribute to PTSD cause changes in brain function. Often, PTSD will show up as a disruption in the front of the brain. Specifically, it is common to see two competing alpha frequencies in the frontal lobe and slow-rolling waveforms (delta and theta waves) drowning out what should be a single strong alpha frequency. MeRT can help improve brainwave function and thus reduce PTSD symptoms.

For more information about how the Brain Treatment Center in Newport Beach uses MeRT treatment protocols for PTSD, click here.

Head Injuries, Traumatic Brain Injuries and Concussions

The Brain Treatment Center offers MeRT treatment for traumatic brain injury (TBI) and concussions. Our non-pharmaceutical, non-invasive treatment has been highly successful in treating the after-effects of a TBI or concussion. If you have suffered a head injury, this treatment may help you.

Research has shown that people who have experienced a traumatic brain injury will have a higher power in their delta band frequencies and lower power in the alpha bands. MeRT can help align these frequencies.

People with traumatic brain injuries often go through other types of therapies to help them regain function and cope with their injury or disability. MeRT treatment can be used in conjunction with these therapies.

For more information on how the Brain Treatment Center Newport Beach uses MeRT treatment protocols for Traumatic Brain Injury, click here.

Insurance Coverage for Conditions Treated with MeRT

We are an in-network provider with TRICARE. If you have TRICARE insurance, it is possible that your policy may provide coverage for you or a family member, depending on your specific policy and condition.

For all other insurance, we are considered out of network and cannot file an insurance claim on your behalf. We can, however, provide you with the appropriate paperwork at the end of your treatment, which you can submit to your insurance company to see if they will provide you with any reimbursement.

Currently, rTMS is FDA-approved for Depression and OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) Treatment. For all other conditions, it is considered “off-label.” For non-FDA-approved treatments, it is not likely that 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. However, this depends on their health coverage.

Unfortunately, we cannot see Medicare patients or Medicaid patients in the clinic.

Contact Our New Patient Coordinator for More Information on Conditions Treated with MeRT

It’s normal for patients and their families affected by brain disorders to feel alone, frustrated, and even hopeless. Yet, there is hope. MeRT is a treatment protocol that has helped patients restore their brain function, reclaim their lives, and get a whole new lease on life.

We understand what you are going through. Our goal is to help guide you through the process so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not MeRT is the right treatment for you or your child.

Many of our clinicians and technicians have gone through MeRT treatment and have experienced incredible results firsthand. As a result, they are passionate about helping you to heal too.

Our New Patient Coordinator is available to answer any questions that you may have about how MeRT can help you specifically. She’ll take the time to listen to your concerns 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 us or fill out the Contact Form below.