What Is SAINT® TMS? The 5-Day Stanford-Developed Treatment
SAINT® (Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy) is an FDA-cleared treatment for adults with major depression who haven't improved on antidepressants — it uses an fMRI brain scan to find a personal target, then delivers 50 short sessions over five days instead of six to nine weeks of standard TMS. Neuro Wellness TMS Centers of America in Coral Springs is the verified SAINT® provider in Florida.
Key takeaways
- SAINT® is FDA-cleared (510(k) K220177, September 2022) for adults with major depressive disorder who haven't improved enough on antidepressants.
- It delivers 10 sessions per day for 5 consecutive days (50 total), versus roughly 30–36 sessions over 4–6 weeks for standard TMS.
- The stimulation target is chosen from your own functional MRI — SAINT® is the only FDA-cleared TMS that personalizes the target this way.
- In a 2022 sham-controlled trial, 78.6% of the active group reached remission at 4 weeks versus 13.3% of sham. Individual results vary.
- Neuro Wellness in Coral Springs is the verified SAINT® provider in Florida. A free consultation confirms whether it's right for you.
What is SAINT® TMS?
SAINT® (Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy) is an FDA-cleared treatment for adults with major depressive disorder who have not improved on antidepressants. It uses an fMRI brain scan to find a personal treatment target, then delivers 50 short sessions of magnetic stimulation over five days, instead of the six to nine weeks of standard TMS.
SAINT® — Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy — is an accelerated form of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for major depressive disorder. It was developed at the Stanford Brain Stimulation Lab and is delivered commercially on the Magnus Neuromodulation System with SAINT Technology, made by Magnus Medical, Inc.
What sets SAINT® apart is how compressed it is. Standard TMS takes one session a day for four to six weeks. SAINT® delivers ten short sessions a day for five consecutive days — 50 sessions in one week — each using an intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) pulse pattern, with roughly 50-minute breaks between sessions.
What does SAINT stand for, and is it the same as SNT?
SAINT stands for Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy. Researchers at Stanford University developed it, and their 2022 trial called it Stanford Neuromodulation Therapy (SNT); it is the same treatment. Magnus Medical makes the FDA-cleared SAINT® system, and only clinics on Magnus Medical's provider locator deliver it.
The 2022 randomized trial published in the American Journal of Psychiatry referred to the treatment as Stanford Neuromodulation Therapy (SNT). SAINT® and SNT describe the same protocol. The FDA-cleared commercial system is the Magnus Neuromodulation System with SAINT Technology (510(k) K220177), and it is available only through clinics credentialed by Magnus Medical.
How does the SAINT® protocol work?
SAINT® starts with an fMRI scan of about 45 minutes that maps how areas of your brain communicate. Software picks the spot in the prefrontal cortex to target. Treatment is then ten 10-minute sessions a day, separated by 50-minute breaks, for five days in a row, which is 50 sessions in total.
Before your treatment week, you have a psychiatric evaluation and a resting-state functional MRI. The scan maps how your prefrontal cortex communicates with deeper mood circuits, and proprietary software calculates your individual stimulation target in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. [[Does SAINT® require an MRI?|/learn/does-saint-tms-require-an-mri]]
During the week, neuronavigation holds the coil on that exact target for every session. Each session lasts about ten minutes; with the breaks, you spend most of each of the five days at the clinic. No anesthesia or sedation is used, and you are awake throughout.
How is SAINT® different from regular TMS?
Regular TMS aims at a standard location on the scalp and usually takes one session a day, five days a week, for six to nine weeks. SAINT® aims at a target chosen from each person's own fMRI brain scan and finishes in five days. SAINT® is the only FDA-cleared TMS that personalizes the target this way.
| SAINT\u00ae | Standard TMS | |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule | 5 days | 6\u20139 weeks |
| Number of clinic visits | 5 | 30\u201336 |
| How the target is chosen | Personal fMRI-guided target | Standard scalp measurement |
| FDA clearance | Cleared 2022 (K220177) | Cleared since 2008 |
| Published remission rate | 78.6% in 2022 trial | Varies by study |
| Typical self-pay cost | From $25,000 | Ask your provider |
Full comparison: SAINT\u00ae vs TMS side by side.
Is SAINT® for treatment-resistant depression?
Yes. SAINT® is FDA-cleared for adults with major depressive disorder who did not improve enough on prior antidepressant medication in their current episode, which is how treatment-resistant depression is usually described. A clinician confirms candidacy, including safety checks such as metal implants and seizure history.
Treatment-resistant depression is typically defined as major depressive disorder that has not responded adequately to at least two antidepressant trials of adequate dose and duration. SAINT®'s FDA-cleared indication covers adults in this situation, though the final determination of eligibility is made by a psychiatrist after a clinical evaluation.
Learn more: who [[qualifies for SAINT®|/learn/is-saint-for-treatment-resistant-depression]].
Does SAINT® work? What the trials showed
In a 2022 double-blind randomized trial, 78.6% of people who received SAINT® reached remission within about four weeks after treatment (Cole et al., American Journal of Psychiatry, 2022). An earlier open-label study reported about 90% remission in 21 participants (Cole et al., 2020). Results vary by person.
In the 2020 open-label study, 19 of 21 completers (90.5%) met remission criteria after five days, but there was no sham comparison. In the 2022 double-blind, sham-controlled randomized trial, 78.6% of the active group (11 of 14) reached remission at four weeks compared with 13.3% (2 of 15) of the sham group.
Both studies were small and conducted at a single site, and follow-up was short (four weeks in the randomized trial). The results should be read as promising early evidence rather than definitive. No trial has compared SAINT® head-to-head with a standard six-week TMS course. Individual results vary.
What are the side effects of SAINT®?
The most common side effects in the trials were headache, fatigue and scalp or treatment-site discomfort, usually mild and short-lived. No anesthesia or sedation is needed. Like all TMS, there is a rare risk of seizure. People with non-removable metal in or near the head are not candidates.
The most common side effects are headache, scalp discomfort, and facial muscle twitching, which usually lessen over the first day or two. The most serious risk is seizure, which is rare. Over-the-counter pain relief is often enough for headaches; tell your treatment team about any discomfort so coil position or intensity can be adjusted.
People with ferromagnetic metal in or near the head (such as cochlear implants or aneurysm clips), implanted electronic stimulators, or who cannot have an MRI are not candidates. A history of seizures requires careful evaluation. SAINT® is not FDA-cleared for bipolar depression, PTSD, anxiety disorders alone, OCD, or anyone under 18. See [[is SAINT® safe?|/learn/is-saint-tms-safe]].
How do I know a clinic offers real SAINT®?
Only clinics listed on Magnus Medical's official provider locator deliver SAINT®. Some clinics sell lower-cost “fMRI-guided accelerated TMS” programs that copy the 5-day schedule but use their own, non-cleared targeting off-label, so they can't claim SAINT's trial results or FDA clearance. Neuro Wellness is the verified SAINT® provider in Florida.
Some clinics market a lower-cost “fMRI-guided accelerated TMS” program that copies the five-day schedule but uses their own, non-cleared targeting off-label. Because those programs were not part of the SAINT clinical trials and do not use the Magnus Medical system, they cannot claim SAINT®'s trial results or FDA clearance.
Neuro Wellness TMS Centers of America is listed on Magnus Medical's official provider locator. Learn how to [[verify a SAINT® provider|/learn/what-is-a-verified-saint-provider]] and read our [[SAINT® disclaimer|/learn/saint-disclaimer]].
How much does SAINT® cost, and does insurance cover it?
SAINT® at Neuro Wellness starts at $25,000 for the full five-day course, including the fMRI scan and all 50 sessions. Medicare has a payment rate for SAINT®. Commercial insurance coverage is limited and decided case by case through prior authorization. We check your benefits for free.
The $25,000 starting price covers the fMRI scan and all 50 sessions for the full five-day course. Medicare has a payment rate for SAINT®. Commercial coverage is limited and decided case by case through prior authorization, which is why we verify your benefits for free before you commit. See [[SAINT® cost & insurance|/learn/saint-tms-cost]].
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SAINT® TMS?
SAINT® (Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy) is an FDA-cleared treatment for adults with major depressive disorder who have not improved on antidepressants. It uses an fMRI brain scan to find a personal treatment target, then delivers 50 short sessions of magnetic stimulation over five days, instead of the six to nine weeks of standard TMS.
What does SAINT stand for, and is it the same as SNT?
SAINT stands for Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy. Researchers at Stanford University developed it, and their 2022 trial called it Stanford Neuromodulation Therapy (SNT); it is the same treatment. Magnus Medical makes the FDA-cleared SAINT® system, and only clinics on Magnus Medical's provider locator deliver it.
How does the SAINT® protocol work?
SAINT® starts with an fMRI scan of about 45 minutes that maps how areas of your brain communicate. Software picks the spot in the prefrontal cortex to target. Treatment is then ten 10-minute sessions a day, separated by 50-minute breaks, for five days in a row, which is 50 sessions in total.
How is SAINT® different from regular TMS?
Regular TMS aims at a standard location on the scalp and usually takes one session a day, five days a week, for six to nine weeks. SAINT® aims at a target chosen from each person's own fMRI brain scan and finishes in five days. SAINT® is the only FDA-cleared TMS that personalizes the target this way.
Is SAINT® for treatment-resistant depression?
Yes. SAINT® is FDA-cleared for adults with major depressive disorder who did not improve enough on prior antidepressant medication in their current episode, which is how treatment-resistant depression is usually described. A clinician confirms candidacy, including safety checks such as metal implants and seizure history.
Does SAINT® work, and what did the trials show?
In a 2022 double-blind randomized trial, 78.6% of people who received SAINT® reached remission within about four weeks after treatment (Cole et al., American Journal of Psychiatry, 2022). An earlier open-label study reported about 90% remission in 21 participants (Cole et al., 2020). Results vary by person.
What are the side effects of SAINT®?
The most common side effects in the trials were headache, fatigue and scalp or treatment-site discomfort, usually mild and short-lived. No anesthesia or sedation is needed. Like all TMS, there is a rare risk of seizure. People with non-removable metal in or near the head are not candidates.
How do I know a clinic offers real SAINT®?
Only clinics listed on Magnus Medical's official provider locator deliver SAINT®. Some clinics sell lower-cost “fMRI-guided accelerated TMS” programs that copy the 5-day schedule but use their own, non-cleared targeting off-label, so they can't claim SAINT's trial results or FDA clearance. Neuro Wellness is the verified SAINT® provider in Florida.
How much does SAINT® cost, and does insurance cover it?
SAINT® at Neuro Wellness starts at $25,000 for the full five-day course, including the fMRI scan and all 50 sessions. Medicare has a payment rate for SAINT®. Commercial insurance coverage is limited and decided case by case through prior authorization. We check your benefits for free.
Cited Research
- 1. Cole EJ, et al. Stanford Neuromodulation Therapy (SNT): a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Am J Psychiatry. 2022;179(2):132-141.
- 2. Cole EJ, et al. Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy for treatment-resistant depression. Am J Psychiatry. 2020;177(8):716-726.
- 3. FDA 510(k) Premarket Notification K220177 — Magnus Neuromodulation System with SAINT Technology.
SAINT® is delivered only by verified providers on the Magnus Medical system. Programs described as SAINT “alternatives”, “equivalents” or “fMRI-guided accelerated TMS” are not SAINT®, are not affiliated with us, and SAINT® results do not apply to them. Read our SAINT® disclaimer.
Have questions about whether TMS may be appropriate for you?
Speak with our clinical team. A free consultation is the best way to get answers specific to your situation.
Related Patient Education
SAINT® Accelerated TMS
The 5-day, fMRI-guided protocol offered at our clinic
What Is TMS Therapy?
How transcranial magnetic stimulation works for depression
Cost & Insurance
Benefits verification, CPT codes, and self-pay options
Am I a Candidate?
Screening factors for TMS and SAINT® eligibility
Schedule a Consultation
Book a free consultation with our clinical team
Contact & Directions
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