Key Takeaways
- The FDA has cleared several 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 matters because it signals growing confidence in TMS as a mainstream, evidence-based option, not just a last resort.
- Foundation Psychiatry's practice currently focuses on adult patients aged 18 and older, so this news doesn't change who the practice treats today.
- The broader takeaway is that TMS continues to gain ground as a well-established, evolving therapy for treatment-resistant depression.
- Foundation Psychiatry stays current with FDA-approved innovations like TMS and Spravato, and you can schedule an appointment to learn if TMS is right for you.
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), not a blanket approval for TMS in all adolescent mental health conditions. Depression in this age group is a significant concern, with major depressive episodes affecting a meaningful share of U.S. teens, and a substantial portion of adolescents not responding well to traditional treatment.
Why This Update Matters for the Broader Conversation on Depression Treatment
Even for practices that don't currently treat adolescent patients, this expansion is a meaningful data point. 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 |
Where Foundation Psychiatry's Practice Stands Today
To be clear: Foundation Psychiatry's current TMS program focuses on adult patients aged 18 and older who are dealing with treatment-resistant depression or OCD. This recent adolescent clearance applies to specific devices and specific practices offering adolescent-focused psychiatric care, and it does not change the age range Foundation Psychiatry currently treats.
That said, tracking developments like this matters. It reflects where the field of psychiatric care is headed, and it reinforces that treatments like TMS are backed by an expanding body of clinical evidence, not just anecdotal success stories.
TMS as a Well-Established, Evolving Option for Adults
For adult patients, TMS has been an FDA-approved option for treatment-resistant depression 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, and most patients experience little to no downtime, often returning to work or normal activities immediately 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, and treatments that were considered cutting-edge a decade ago (like TMS itself) are now well-established, evidence-backed options. Practices that stay current with developments like expanded FDA clearances are better positioned to offer patients treatments grounded in the latest safety and efficacy data, rather than defaulting to the same approach for every patient regardless of how they've responded to it.
Foundation Psychiatry offers both TMS and SPRAVATO as part of its treatment-resistant depression program, alongside psychotherapy and medication management, so patients have more than one evidence-based path forward if their initial treatment hasn't worked.
Explore Whether TMS Is Right for You
Depression that hasn't responded to standard treatment can feel discouraging, but the options available today look different than they did even a few years ago. Foundation Psychiatry stays current with FDA-approved treatments like TMS, so adult patients in Atlanta have access to a well-established, evolving option when medication and therapy alone haven't been enough.
Curious whether TMS could help you? Schedule an appointment with Foundation Psychiatry to discuss TMS therapy and find out if it's a fit for your depression treatment plan.
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 specific age range and diagnosis, not a general approval for all adolescent mental health conditions.
Does Foundation Psychiatry treat adolescent patients with TMS?
Foundation Psychiatry's TMS program currently focuses on adult patients aged 18 and older. This recent FDA update doesn't change who the practice currently treats, though it reflects broader momentum in the field.
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, and it has since become a well-established option for treatment-resistant depression, used at institutions like Yale, Harvard, and Emory.
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 immediately afterward, with mild headache being the most commonly reported side effect.
Where can I learn more about TMS therapy near me?
Foundation Psychiatry offers TMS therapy for adults with treatment-resistant depression or OCD at its Atlanta, GA location. You can schedule an appointment online or call (404) 902-6184 to discuss your candidacy.
