Memory Issues and Early Stages of Dementia

Memory Issues?
Worried That It May Be More Serious? MeRT Can Help.

This non-invasive and drug-free treatment called MeRT® is now available at the Brain Treatment Center.

MeRT uses gentle magnetic fields to stimulate and balance brain function, guided by very sophisticated imaging and diagnostics.

Are You Concerned That Your Memory Issues Are More Than Just Forgetfulness?

Ever walked into a room and forgotten why you were there? Or spent a few minutes searching for your phone, only to realize it’s in your hand? We’ve all been there.

But what if those brief memory slips start feeling more like gaping holes? Are they just a normal part of aging or something more?

One thing we know for sure: It’s normal to feel worried and scared. We also know that you have more options than ever to improve your memory as you age.

That’s why we offer a breakthrough treatment to improve brain function. It’s called MeRT, or Magnetic E (EEG/EKG) Resonance Therapy.

MeRT is an emerging technology that aims to improve brain function and communication. The equipment used is FDA-cleared to treat Major Depressive Disorder and OCD and is used off-label to treat a wide variety of conditions.

Doctor Julie Kim provides this state-of-the-art technology to Newport Beach and surrounding areas. It’s non-invasive, drug-free, and stimulates and reorganizes brain function. This can help to improve memory and overall cognitive performance.

Call Our New Patient Coordinator or Fill in the Form below

How MeRT Can Help You Regain Control Over Your Memory Issues

No two brains ever function exactly the same — your brain and memory functions are unique to you. That’s what makes MeRT so revolutionary: We customize treatment specifically for you.

To do this, we use a quantitative EEG to identify any dysregulation or decline in your brain activity. Your individual test results allow us to develop a personalized treatment approach to optimize your brain function.

Then we use targeted TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) on the precise areas of your brain discovered to be out of sync. We use a magnet to gently stimulate specific areas of your brain, leading to better communication and function.

MeRT is a breakthrough treatment that helps your brain to heal itself, and that can mean a tremendous improvement in your mental abilities.

How MeRT Differs from Standard TMS

The MeRT treatment protocol evolved from a technology called rTMS (repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation). However, rTMS is a more generalized approach because it can only target a single location in the brain with one frequency and is not guided by qEEG results.

With MeRT, we can determine the precise location, frequency, and amount of power used by the magnet specific to your unique condition. As this treatment is so precise and tailored, it can lead to significant and long-lasting improvements.

Memory Issues in Normal Aging vs. Early Dementia

The early stages of dementia can be challenging to distinguish from normal age-related memory issues. Here are some key differences to be aware of:

Frequency and severity of forgetfulness: Occasional forgetfulness is normal as we age. However, with early dementia, memory lapses become more frequent and noticeable.
Impact on daily life: With normal aging, memory lapses don’t significantly disrupt daily life. With early dementia, forgetfulness starts to interfere with daily activities.
Difficulty learning new information: Learning may take a bit longer as we age, but you can still acquire new skills and knowledge. However, learning and retaining new information with early dementia becomes progressively more challenging.
Language and communication problems: Difficulty finding the right words or pauses in conversation can happen as we age, but they’re not consistent. With dementia, language difficulties increase, such as losing track of conversations and repeating oneself.
Spatial and navigation challenges: Normal aging can bring on mild difficulties, such as occasionally getting lost in familiar places. With early dementia, these challenges become more pronounced and regular.
Mood and personality changes: With normal aging, mood and personality remain stable, only shifting due to life events. However, noticeable mood swings, anxiety, and apathy can emerge in early dementia.
Difficulty planning and problem-solving: Older adults can still manage complex tasks and make plans, even if they may take more time. With early dementia, these abilities decline, and it can be overwhelming to make decisions.

It’s important to note that everyone’s experience with aging and cognitive changes is unique. Early diagnosis and intervention can be crucial for managing dementia and maintaining quality of life.

The MeRT Process

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.

Click through these simple 5-Steps in the horizontal menu below…

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

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.

This simply involves a qEEG (quantitative EEG or brain scan), followed by a consultation with our clinician a few days later to see your results before making any decisions about treatment or proceeding with anything further.

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.

Your second appointment usually runs about 45 minutes. During this time, you will meet with one of our clinicians, Kayleigh Prowse of Sheila Stephens, 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.

Should you decide to proceed with treatment, we will schedule your assessment period.

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, we will schedule the 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 for each 2-week treatment period.

The comparison between the initial and second qEEG/clinical evaluation will often show if you are responding. You may also start to experience changes in the way you are feeling during this time. For some, it takes longer before changes are more obvious. We highly advise a total of six to eight weeks of treatment (which includes the assessment period) for optimal and long-lasting results.

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 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.

Benefits of MeRT Treatment

While each patient is unique, here are some of the reported benefits of MeRT treatment:

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

Your memory issues don’t have to hold you back. MeRT can improve your brain performance and help you live a happier, more fulfilled life!

Insurance Coverage

We are an in-network provider with TRICARE. If you have TRICARE insurance, it is possible that your policy may provide coverage, depending on your specific situation. Our New Patient Coordinator can discuss this with you in further detail.

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 paperwork at the end of your treatment, which you can submit to your insurance company to see if they may provide you with any reimbursement. Unfortunately, our clinic is unable to treat patients with Medicare and Medicaid.

Currently, rTMS is FDA-approved for Depression and OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) Treatment for all other conditions is considered “off-label.” For non-FDA-approved treatment, 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. But this depends on their health coverage. Medicare patients have reported that their coverage provides no reimbursement for MeRT.

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

Care Credit is also an option to help finance medical expenses. This is a separate company from The Brain Treatment Center in Newport Beach. Care Credit is a credit card that can 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 promptly let you know your approval status.

Contact Our New Patient
Coordinator for More Information

It’s normal for patients and their families affected by brain disorders to feel uncertain about treatment options and what is best. MeRT is a treatment protocol that has helped patients restore their brain function, reclaim their lives, and get a whole new lease on life.

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. Our clinicians and technicians are passionate about helping you to heal.

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.