In November 2025, the global medical tech company BrainsWay received FDA clearance to expand deep TMS to adolescentsopens in new window (ages 15–21), making the treatment now available to individuals ages 15–86.
TMS is a noninvasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerves in the brain and was first approved by the FDA for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in 2008. Since then, the technology has evolved. Deep TMS can stimulate deeper and wider areas of the brain than the initial technology and TMS has earned FDA approval for other conditions, including OCD, migraines, and smoking cessation. In addition, new protocols have shortened the treatment duration for depression: In September 2025, BrainsWay received FDA clearance for an accelerated protocol of deep TMS opens in new windowthat shortens the initial treatment phase from 4 weeks (5 days per week) to 6 days.
The FDA initially cleared TMS for the treatment of depression in adults, but in 2024, Neurostar earned clearance for the treatment of adolescents with MDDopens in new window. Research from BrainsWay is encouraging: To support the company’s deep TMS clearance for teens, data were submitted from over 1,000 adolescents treated at several TMS centers in the United States. After 36 sessions, patients’ depressive symptoms improved by an average of 12 points on the PHQ-9. Notably, patients also reported meaningful reductions in co-occurring symptoms of anxiety.
As TMS becomes available to younger patients, it could reshape how MDD is managed in adolescents.
