Key Takeaways
The FDA has cleared several Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) systems for use in adolescents aged 15 to 21 with major depressive disorder, expanding a treatment that had previously only been available to adults.
This update signals growing confidence in TMS as a mainstream, evidence-based option — not just a treatment of last resort.
Foundation Psychiatry now sees adolescents who meet the criteria for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and qualify for TMS.
TMS continues to gain ground as a well-established, evolving therapy for depression across age groups.
Foundation Psychiatry stays current with FDA-approved innovations like TMS and Spravato, serving patients in Atlanta, GA — schedule an appointment to learn if TMS is right for you or your teen.
What the FDA Update Actually Says
Throughout 2024 and 2025, several manufacturers received FDA clearance to expand their TMS systems to include adolescent patients aged 15 to 21 with major depressive disorder (MDD) who have not responded adequately to antidepressant medication. NeuroStar was the first to receive this expanded clearance in 2024, and multiple other TMS device makers, including BrainsWay and MagVenture, received similar clearances throughout 2025.
It's worth being precise about what this means: these are adjunct treatment clearances for a specific age range (15–21) and a specific diagnosis (MDD that hasn't responded well to antidepressants). This is not a blanket approval for TMS in all adolescent mental health conditions. Depression in adolescents is a significant public health concern — major depressive episodes affect a meaningful share of U.S. teens, and a substantial portion of adolescents do not respond well to traditional treatment.
Why This Update Matters for Depression Treatment at All Ages
This expansion carries significance beyond a single age group. It reflects:
Growing regulatory confidence in TMS. Expanding an FDA clearance to a more vulnerable population requires substantial real-world safety and efficacy data.
A shrinking gap in treatment options for hard-to-treat depression. Historically, few non-medication options existed for patients of any age who didn't respond to antidepressants.
Momentum toward TMS becoming a standard part of the depression treatment conversation, rather than an experimental or last-resort therapy.
Milestone | Year | Population |
|---|---|---|
Original FDA clearance for TMS in depression | 2008 | Adults |
FDA clearance for TMS in adults 18+ (various systems) | Ongoing since 2008 | Adults |
First adolescent clearance (NeuroStar) | 2024 | Ages 15–21, MDD, adjunct therapy |
Additional adolescent clearances (BrainsWay, MagVenture, others) | 2025 | Ages 15–21, MDD, adjunct therapy |
What This Means at Foundation Psychiatry
Foundation Psychiatry now sees adolescents who meet the criteria for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) — meaning depression that has not adequately responded to antidepressant medication — and who qualify for TMS. This typically includes teens aged 15 to 21 who have been diagnosed with MDD and have not seen sufficient improvement through standard medication management.
This is consistent with how TMS has historically been used at Foundation Psychiatry: as a targeted, evidence-based option for patients whose depression hasn't improved with first-line treatment. The practice stays current with FDA-approved developments like this one because it reinforces that treatments like TMS are backed by an expanding body of clinical evidence — not just anecdotal success stories.
TMS: A Well-Established, Evolving Option for Treatment-Resistant Depression
TMS has been an FDA-approved option for treatment-resistant depression in adults since 2008, and its use has only grown since then. Foundation Psychiatry notes that TMS is trusted and utilized by institutions like Yale, Harvard, and Emory University, and that repeated stimulation over a structured treatment protocol has been clinically shown to produce an antidepressant effect in people who haven't responded to medication alone.
Sessions are typically brief, ranging from about 5 to 30 minutes depending on the protocol. Most patients experience little to no downtime and can often return to work or normal activities right afterward. The most commonly reported side effect is mild, temporary scalp discomfort or headache — without the systemic side effects associated with many oral antidepressants.
Why Staying Current With FDA-Approved Innovations Matters
Psychiatric treatment is evolving quickly. Treatments that were considered cutting-edge a decade ago — like TMS itself — are now well-established, evidence-backed options. Practices that stay current with FDA clearance expansions are better positioned to offer patients treatments grounded in the latest safety and efficacy data, rather than defaulting to the same approach regardless of how a patient has responded.
Foundation Psychiatry offers both TMS therapy and SPRAVATO (esketamine), a nasal spray approved for treatment-resistant depression, as part of its treatment program — alongside psychotherapy and medication management. This gives patients more than one evidence-based path forward if initial treatment hasn't worked.
TMS Is Now Available to Adolescents in Atlanta — Foundation Psychiatry Can Help
Depression that hasn't responded to standard treatment can feel discouraging at any age. The options available today, however, look very different than they did even a few years ago. Foundation Psychiatry stays current with FDA-approved treatments like TMS, so both adult and adolescent patients in Atlanta who meet the criteria for treatment-resistant depression have access to an evolving, evidence-backed option when medication and therapy alone haven't been enough.
Wondering whether TMS could help you or your teen? Schedule an appointment with Foundation Psychiatry to discuss TMS therapy and find out if it's the right fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the FDA actually approve regarding TMS and adolescents?
The FDA cleared several TMS systems as an adjunct treatment for major depressive disorder in adolescents aged 15 to 21 who haven't responded adequately to antidepressant medication. This is a specific clearance for a defined age range and diagnosis — not a general approval for TMS in all adolescent mental health conditions.
Does Foundation Psychiatry treat adolescent patients with TMS?
Yes. Foundation Psychiatry now sees adolescents who meet the criteria for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and who qualify for TMS. This typically means teens aged 15–21 who have a diagnosis of major depressive disorder and have not responded sufficiently to antidepressant medication.
How long has TMS been FDA-approved for adults with depression?
TMS was first FDA-approved for treating major depressive disorder in adults in 2008. It has since become a well-established option for treatment-resistant depression, used at leading institutions including Yale, Harvard, and Emory University.
What can I expect during a TMS session?
TMS sessions typically last between 5 and 30 minutes, depending on the protocol used. Most patients experience little to no downtime and can return to normal activities right after, with mild headache being the most commonly reported side effect.
Where can I find TMS therapy near me?
Foundation Psychiatry offers TMS therapy for patients with treatment-resistant depression or OCD at its Atlanta, GA location. You can schedule an appointment online or call (404) 902-6184 to discuss whether you or your teen may be a candidate.
