Everything you need to know about MagVenture TMS: A Clinician's Overview of the MagPro System — how it works, what it costs, and how to find a provider who actually knows what they're doing.
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What is MagVenture TMS?
MagVenture is a Danish manufacturer of transcranial magnetic stimulation equipment. Its MagPro stimulators are used in both research and clinical settings, and the company’s FDA-cleared clinical system is marketed in the United States for treating depression and OCD.
FDA clearances
Per a published review of FDA milestones for TMS devices (FDA milestones timeline (PMC)), MagVenture’s key US clearances include:
- 2015: MagVita TMS cleared for major depressive disorder
- 2018: MagVita with theta burst stimulation, the first FDA clearance of an intermittent theta burst (iTBS) protocol for depression
- 2020: MagVenture TMS Therapy cleared as an adjunct for obsessive-compulsive disorder
FDA clearance applies to specific devices for specific indications. Ask any clinic which indications its particular system is cleared for.
How a session works
During a TMS session, an electromagnetic coil is placed against the scalp, usually over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex for depression. The device delivers magnetic pulses that stimulate that region. Before treatment, the clinician determines your motor threshold, the minimum intensity needed to make your thumb twitch, and uses it to set your treatment intensity.
Typical courses for depression involve daily sessions, five days a week, over about six weeks, followed by a taper. Standard high-frequency protocols run roughly 20 to 40 minutes per session, while theta burst protocols can take just a few minutes.
Evidence
The evidence for TMS in depression comes from multiple randomized, sham-controlled trials and meta-analyses. Specific results vary by protocol and device, so ask your clinic for the published evidence supporting the protocol they will use for you. Off-label uses (for example anxiety disorders, PTSD, or chronic pain) have less evidence and are generally not covered by insurance.
What to expect and side effects
Common side effects are scalp discomfort at the stimulation site, headache, and brief facial twitching during stimulation. These typically ease over the first week or so. Seizure is a rare but serious risk, which is why clinics screen for seizure history, certain medications, and metal implants near the head.
Questions to ask a clinic using MagVenture equipment
- Which indications is your system cleared for, and which protocol will you use for me?
- Do you use neuronavigation or scalp-measurement targeting?
- Is theta burst available, and is it covered by my insurance?
- Who is the supervising physician?
Use our clinic directory to find TMS clinics near you.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before starting any new treatment.
