LFMS as new Neuromodulation Strategy

Low Field Magnetic Stimulation is a brain stimulation with multiple magnetic field coils that have a relatively low field strength of 0.3 Tesla.

This completely new – and very inexpensive – technology is currently only used in university research, but shows promising results in a wide range of neurological problems.

As a treatment for depression, bipolar and schizophrenia the evidence level is already IIb-III – which means that the effectiveness has essentially been proven.

Initial preclinical studies also provide evidence that this treatment could also be effective for neurological and neurodegenerative diseases: below I show studies for Parkinson and for multiple sclerosis, stroke and traumatic brain injury.

deep transcranial magnetic stimulation

in contrast to the “low field” magnetic stimulation described above, (repetitive) transcranial magnetic stimulation is already an established medical treatment method.

This deep magnetic brain stimulation is already being used in large centers for

• depression,
• OCD = obsessive compulsive disorder
• stroke,
• dementia

(Article from Ärztezeitung) (Article from the Inselspital of the University Hospital Bern)

This involves generating a very precise, narrow magnetic pulse that is applied repeatedly at a specific frequency (“repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation = RTMS”).

This magnetic beam must be precisely aimed at the brain region to be treated and it triggers “Action potentials”, which “activates” this region in the long term.

If, for example, you stimulate the arm (on the brain) with this strong magnetic pulses, it twitches due to the triggered action potentials.

Disadvantage: expensive equipment required

As I learned and experienced in the SOTERIX training in New York 2 weeks ago, this highly targeted magnetic beam must be set up very precisely.

For this purpose, neuronavigation software and robot arms are used today to correct the patient’s head movements, with which the magnetic beam can be adjusted exactly to 1mm, since, for example, the treatment of depression in the area of ​​the “dorsolateral prefrontal cortex” has to hit a region in the range of within 5mm and manual application or head movements interfere in precise targeting.

This requires high-priced precision measuring devices + neuronavigation software + robot arm in addition to the enormously expensive magnetic pulse device.

Simply applying by hand as shown in the following image copied from the study is no longer state of the art.

This makes the therapy more expensive. Also because highly qualified staff must be present at all times.

Using the neuronavigation software and the robotic arm applicators, a trained A qualified nurse can look after 3 or 4 patients in parallel, this is how the large centers in the USA work.

Advantage of rTMS

validated treatment method and reliable effectiveness.

• In Austria, for example, this is done by the UNIQUA private insurance pays
• in Austria there are only a few offers, for example the interesting Linz psychiatrist and psychotherapist  Dr. Harald Wölfl uses this device in his practice, extraordinary!
• the psychiatric department of the AKH Wels in Upper Austria also uses this procedure for depression and presumably other indications as well
• the MS Society in Vienna has a Report from the Charité Berlin from 2018 adopted on rTMS for multiple sclerosis

Low Field Magnetic Stimulation

now about this new neuromodulation modality

In contrast to the rTMS described above, LFMS works with rotating magnetic fields with low intensity from several coils placed around the head.

The magnetic coils generate a rotating magnetic field which promotes lymph flow in deeper areas of the brain, reduces inflammation, promotes the regeneration of damaged nerves and activates the cooperation of different brain regions.

The mechanism of action is based on influencing the neuronal membrane potentials. Due to the low magnetic field strength, NO action potentials are triggered.

This Neuromodulation was discovered during MRI examinations, in which improvements in various neurological and psychiatric illnesses, including depression, were observed after this examination.

Systematic studies with radiological magnetic resonance devices then confirmed this observation, showing significant improvements, for example, in bipolar patients (J.Americ.Psychiatr  2004)

Further studies (e.g. 2013) confirmed these effects and also led to explanatory models, since the brain is flooded with electrical fields of up to 500 mV / m by the newly constructed mobile devices, thereby promoting the “cooperation” of different brain regions.

current areas of application

• Depression: There is evidence that LFMS is effective in treatment-resistant depression. Some studies showed a rapid mood-enhancing effect.
• Anxiety disorders: Initial studies indicate a reduction in anxiety symptoms.
• Bipolar disorder: LFMS is being investigated as a complementary tool.
• Schizophrenia: Potential in the support of negative symptoms and cognitive dysfunctions.

proven effectiveness ??

For low-field magnetic stimulation (LFMS) in psychiatric indications, the level of evidence is usually in the range of Level II-3 to Level III. This means that we mostly rely on controlled studies without randomization or observational studies, as there is still a lack of large-scale, randomized, controlled trials (RCTs, Level I).

• Depression: There are some controlled trials (Level II-2), but not a sufficient number of RCTs to form a strong evidence base.
• Anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia: The evidence is predominantly Level III (cohort-based studies, case series, small controlled trials).

So far, the results are encouraging, but LFMS remains experimental and there are no broad meta-analyses or systematic reviews supporting a strong recommendation according to the highest EBM criteria.

Research promises interesting results

for example in Parkinson’s disease

a Study 2023 on mice shows a significant improvement in dopaminergic neurons and motor deficits in the mouse model.

The extensive study results including histology and expression profiles are superbly summarized in the following text from the study

This study shows for the first time that Low-Field Magnetic Stimulation (LFMS) can have a positive effect on a mouse model for Parkinson’s disease (PD). LFMS treatment improved the movement abilities of the mice, as demonstrated by better results in various mobility tests (balance beam, stride length, rotarod and free running). LFMS also increased the level of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in a specific brain area, which may indicate protection or recovery of dopaminergic nerve cells.

LFMS also reduced the amount of astrogliotic cells (a type of brain cell that increases in number when there is damage = scar cells), suggesting an anti-inflammatory effect. Based on these results, the researchers suggest that LFMS may play an important role in improving dopaminergic nerve cells and motor functions. Therefore, it could be used as an early therapeutic option* for Parkinson’s disease.

 * Orginal Speech of the Study. As long as no EBM Level 2 we must not say “treatment” or “Therapy” due to legal restrictions.

LFMS in multiple sclerosis

here is the full Abstract of the 2021 study translated

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease in which the protective myelin layer of nerve cells in the brain is destroyed. This leads to inflammation and the loss of oligodendrocytes, which are responsible for the formation of myelin. Common symptoms of MS are cognitive impairment (e.g. memory problems) and depression, which have so far been difficult to treat.

Aim of the study: This study wanted to find out whether Low-Field Magnetic Stimulation (LFMS), a new, non-invasive method of influencing brain activity, can help treat cognitive impairment and depression in MS. To do this, a mouse model that mimics demyelination (loss of myelin) was used.

Method: Female mice were given a special diet (cuprizone) that caused myelin degradation for 12 weeks. After this phase, the mice received either a placebo treatment (sham) or LFMS for 4 weeks.

Results: The mice treated with LFMS showed improvements in cognitive performance and behavior that resembled depressive symptoms. They also regained weight. Studies showed that the myelin layer in the brain, especially in the prefrontal cortex, was repaired. There were also signs that the number of oligodendrocytes (the cells that form myelin) was increased by LFMS. In addition, a certain protein (TGF-β) was increased, which is thought to be involved in healing.

Conclusion: The study shows that LFMS has a protective effect on the brain and has the potential to treat cognitive impairment and depression in MS.

of course – the study goal was cognitive impairment and depression – the result is clear: nerves are repaired

Traumatic brain injury – brain damage

2019 mouse study – was able to significantly reduce the extent of neurological impairment caused by brain damage by applying LFMS after brain injury.

Memory impairment after a stroke

Master’s thesis from 2018 – with rats proves a healing effect on the nerve cells of the memory (hippocampus) which were injured or destroyed by an artificially induced stroke.

the effect is, to be honest, dramatic! It’s crazy that this isn’t automatically used everywhere!

If you are affected by this, you can get an appointment with us immediately, on the same day (of course only when the practice is open).