What Is MeRT?
Neuro Brain Treatment Center Vancouver offers Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy (MeRT), a cutting-edge brain treatment rooted in advanced research. MeRT combines precise EEG diagnostics with targeted transcranial magnetic pulses in a personalized brain stimulation protocol. This EEG-guided TMS therapy is non-invasive, painless, and drug-free, making it a compelling option to improve neural communication without medication. Originally developed for veterans with traumatic brain injury and PTSD, MeRT (often called Wave Neuro MeRT therapy) has since evolved into customized protocols for many neurological and psychiatric conditions.
MeRT aims to synchronize brainwave patterns and strengthen neural connectivity. In practice, we measure each patient’s individual alpha frequency and tailor the TMS pulse rate to that frequency. Sessions are scheduled 5 days per week for 4–8 weeks, with periodic EEG/EKG re-evaluations to monitor progress. Many patients report improved sleep, mood, concentration, and mental clarity as their brain waves become more balanced.
Who Can Benefit from MeRT Therapy in Vancouver?
Our Vancouver-based MeRT clinic provides care to patients of all ages. We support children, teens, and adults with a wide range of conditions linked to dysregulated brain activity, including:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Anxiety, Panic Attacks, and Extreme Stress
- Depression (Major Depressive Disorder)
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) & Concussion
- Dementia and Cognitive Decline
- Tinnitus
- Sleep Disorders and Insomnia
By targeting each patient’s unique brainwave profile, MeRT helps restore optimal neural communication. In turn, patients often experience real-world gains such as better focus, emotional regulation, and quality of life beyond what symptom-based treatments alone can provide. Our multidisciplinary team works closely with families to ensure comfort and confidence at every step. All treatments are administered under the oversight of licensed clinicians, and we provide clear patient education (think quantitative EEG explained) so you understand how each session is helping the brain.
MeRT vs Neurofeedback: MeRT is different from neurofeedback. MeRT directly stimulates specific neural circuits identified on the EEG, whereas neurofeedback relies on training your brain to self-regulate via feedback loops. In other words, MeRT is an active EEG-guided TMS therapy tailored to your EEG results each session, not a passive retraining approach.
Why MeRT?
Wave Neuro’s MeRT therapy is built to meet the specific needs of each patient providing a highly personalized and effective alternative to the traditional one-size-fits all 10Hz TMS treatment. Just as a musical symphony depends on the rhythmic harmony of its instruments, the human brain relies on the synchronized patterns of its brainwave communication. Disruptions in brain waves occur when they lose their synchronization, resulting in irregular patterns. These disruptions represent the metaphorical “missed beats” in the brain’s symphony, resulting in a range of mental health symptoms like depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, sleep disorders, migraines, ADHD, and autism, among others. By retraining your neurons to communicate in a more synchronous manner, the brain’s performance improves, and symptoms that may be resulting from neuronal misfiring diminish.
The Four Steps to MeRT
What does MeRT treatment do?
MeRT Treatment encourages healthy, synchronized neuronal activity through personalized and guided stimulation. Magnetic pulses gently nudge neurons that are misfiring toward organization and synchronization, optimizing your brain’s efficiency.
What's the difference between MeRT and Neurofeedback?
The MeRT process is a type of non-invasive brain stimulation therapy that reshapes brainwave activity through the delivery of magnetic pulses over the course of several weeks through an FDA cleared TMS device.
Neurofeedback is a brain training activity that requires an individual to actively engage with a platform. Often with Neurofeedback, an individual will be wearing an EEG or EKG to actively monitor physiological response to a stimulus, like a videogame, and the user will work to change their heart or brain activity based on what is happening on the screen.
How often does someone need to return for "maintenance”?
Results vary per individual. In general, the longer the length of treatment, the longer the changes remain, especially if receiving treatment for longer than a month. If a reduction in positive gains is reported after leaving the clinic, patients may return for another treatment period. Some individual’s return on an annual/bi-annual basis to ensure positive changes are sustained.
How long should a patient receive MeRT to achieve best results?
We recommend at least 6 weeks of treatment (30 treatment sessions). Sessions are broken up into 2 sections- Phase I: Initial Treatment Period to assess the patient’s response and alter protocol if necessary. Phase II: Extended Treatments to ensure optimal brainwave synchrony. However, overall duration of treatment is based on an individual’s response. Length of treatment will be decided by the clinician and patient after reviewing clinical and EEG changes.
How long will the effects of MeRT treatment last?
Results can vary per individual. In general, the longer the length of treatment, the longer the changes remain, especially if receiving treatment for greater than one month. If a reduction in positive gains are noted after leaving the clinic, patients may return for additional treatment.
Will missing one treatment effect results?
Consistency of treatment is important, especially during the first assessment week of treatment. However, outside of the initial treatment period, missing one day of treatment should not affect overall results.
Common Benefits of MeRT Can Include:
- Improved sleep
- Relaxation and better mood
- Improved memory
- Better able to concentrate and focus
- Improved mental clarity
- Better ability to cope with stressors
- Improved social skills
- Increased motivation
- Fewer cravings (such as drugs or alcohol)
- Better ability to adapt to change
- Less anxiety
- Improved ability to interact with others
- Increased confidence