What Part of the Brain Does SAINT® TMS Target?

Written by Neuro Wellness TMS Centers of AmericaMedically reviewed by Daniel Pietras, MDPublished November 3, 2026Last medically reviewed November 3, 2026Last updated November 3, 2026

SAINT® TMS targets the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) — a brain region involved in mood regulation. Unlike conventional TMS, which targets this area using scalp measurements, SAINT® uses a functional MRI (fMRI) to identify the specific subregion of the DLPFC that has the strongest functional connection to deeper mood-regulating circuits in your brain. This personalized targeting is a key feature of SAINT®. The target is unique to each patient, chosen from their own brain scan rather than a population average.

Key takeaways

SAINT® targets the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC).
The target is personalized using fMRI, not scalp measurements.
The fMRI identifies the subregion with the strongest connection to mood circuits.
Each patient's target is unique to their own brain.
This personalized targeting distinguishes SAINT® from conventional TMS.

The Left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex

SAINT® targets the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), a brain region involved in mood regulation, executive function, and emotional control. The DLPFC is underactive in many people with depression, and stimulating it with TMS is thought to normalize activity in broader mood-regulating networks.

How fMRI Personalizes the Target

Conventional TMS targets the DLPFC using scalp measurements — typically measuring from the spot that makes the thumb twitch (the motor threshold location) and moving 5.5 cm forward. This is a population average, not personalized. SAINT® replaces this approach with a functional MRI that maps how different brain regions connect functionally. A proprietary algorithm identifies the specific subregion of your DLPFC with the strongest functional connection to the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex — a deeper brain region involved in mood regulation.

Why Personalized Targeting Matters

The 'right' spot for TMS varies from brain to brain. Two people may have their optimal stimulation sites centimeters apart. By using fMRI to find each patient's individualized target, SAINT® aims to stimulate the precise subregion most likely to affect mood circuits. This is one of the key innovations developed at Stanford.

Is it really SAINT®? 5 checks

Before you pay for any 5-day program advertised as SAINT®, confirm these five points.

1
Is the clinic listed on Magnus Medical's provider locator?
If a clinic isn't on the official Magnus Medical locator (magnusmedical.com), it is not a verified SAINT® provider. Magnus Medical locator
2
Do they do a brain MRI to personalize your target?
SAINT® requires a brain MRI to find your individual target. No scan = not SAINT®.
3
Which TMS machine and software do they use?
SAINT® runs only on the Magnus Medical system with its FDA-cleared targeting software.
4
Is the 5-day protocol FDA-cleared, or off-label?
Ask the clinic to state in writing whether their 5-day protocol is FDA-cleared or an off-label schedule.
5
Do they offer it to minors?
SAINT® is FDA-cleared for adults only. Be cautious if a clinic offers an accelerated course to a teen or child.

Watch & Learn

Understanding SAINT® TMS: How It Works & What to Expect

SAINT® is an FDA-cleared treatment for adults with major depressive disorder who have not improved on antidepressants in the current episode. These videos explain how it works and how it differs from conventional TMS.

SAINT® is an FDA-cleared, fMRI-guided form of TMS developed at Stanford. Most patients complete treatment in one week — not the six weeks standard TMS requires.

Follow a real patient through the five-day SAINT® treatment week

Is SAINT® TMS Right for You?

Tried antidepressants without enough relief? SAINT® TMS is an FDA-cleared, fMRI-guided treatment for adults with major depressive disorder who have not improved enough with antidepressant medication.

SAINT® uses a personalized brain target and delivers treatment over five consecutive days. It differs from standard TMS in its targeting approach, treatment schedule, and research background. In a small randomized trial, 11 of 14 people receiving active treatment reached remission at the four-week assessment, compared with 2 of 15 receiving sham treatment. Results vary, and a five-day treatment course does not guarantee remission in five days.

How SAINT® Works and How It Differs From Conventional TMS

SAINT® is an FDA-cleared treatment for adults with major depressive disorder who have not improved on antidepressants in the current episode. This video explains how it works, and how it differs from conventional TMS.

Conventional TMS usually means about 30 visits over 6 to 9 weeks. SAINT is five visits over five days.

What makes it different: SAINT is the only FDA-cleared depression treatment that uses an fMRI scan to personalize the stimulation target to your individual brain. A 45-minute scan maps your brain and identifies the specific circuit linked to depression. Treatment is then delivered as ten 10-minute sessions per day, with 50-minute breaks between them, across five consecutive days.

In clinical trials, 79% of participants reached remission, with an average of 2.6 days to remission. SAINT is generally well tolerated; the most common side effects reported were mild headache and temporary scalp discomfort at the treatment site.

SAINT® at Neuro Wellness TMS Centers of America

Coral Springs, Florida
Free benefits check · Self-pay options available
Call or Text: 954-827-9793

Sources: Cole et al., American Journal of Psychiatry 2020;177:716-726 and 2022;179(2):132-141. magnusmedical.com/depression-therapy. PubMed 34711062. FDA 510(k) K220177.

Insurance coverage for SAINT is currently limited and varies by plan. Individual results may vary. This video is educational and is not medical advice. Talk to a qualified clinician about whether SAINT is appropriate for you. If you are in crisis, call or text 988.