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Research & Studies11d agoedited

New Stanford SAINT protocol showing 90% remission rates — what it means for patients

I wanted to discuss some exciting research that's been getting a lot of attention. The Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy (SAINT) protocol has shown remarkable results in clinical trials. Key points: - The SAINT protocol delivers the equivalent of a standard 6-week TMS course in just 5 days - It uses functional MRI to precisely target each patient's specific brain circuit - The landmark trial showed approximately 79% remission rates (vs ~50% with standard TMS) - Follow-up studies at academic centers are replicating these results What makes this different from standard TMS: 1. Precision targeting using fMRI (not the standard "5cm rule") 2. Accelerated delivery — 10 sessions per day for 5 days 3. Higher total dose of stimulation 4. Intermittent theta burst protocol instead of standard 10Hz Important caveats: This is still relatively new and most insurance doesn't cover the accelerated protocol yet. The fMRI targeting adds cost. And more long-term data is needed. But this represents a real step forward in the field. Happy to discuss or answer questions.
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Dr. Jennifer Patel, MDVerified Specialist
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Alex N.
10d agoedited

This is fascinating. 5 days instead of 6 weeks would be life-changing for people who can't take extended time off work. Any idea when this might become more widely available? I'm in the midwest and I doubt anyone near me offers it yet.

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Dr. Jennifer Patel, MD
Dr. Jennifer Patel, MDVerified Specialist
9d agoedited

Great summary, Dr. Wong. I'll add that several academic medical centers are now offering SAINT or SAINT-like protocols. The main barriers to wider adoption are the fMRI requirement (not every clinic has access) and the intensive staffing needed for 10 sessions per day. We're seeing some clinics offer a modified version — accelerated TMS over 1-2 weeks without the fMRI targeting — which is a middle ground that's more accessible.

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David L.
8d agoedited

Do the 90% remission rates hold up long-term? Or is it possible that the accelerated approach wears off faster? I'd rather do 6 weeks if the results last longer.

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Dr. Jennifer Patel, MD
Dr. Jennifer Patel, MDVerified Specialist
5d agoedited

David — that's the key question researchers are working on. The initial follow-up data shows durability comparable to standard TMS at 6 months, but we need more long-term studies. There's no evidence that accelerated delivery leads to faster relapse. In theory, the precise targeting might actually improve durability since you're stimulating exactly the right circuit.