- Medical Weight Loss
- NeurologyHe attended Stanford University for his premedical education, and received his M.D. degree from the University of California at Davis. He completed the residency training in psychiatry at the University of California at San Francisco, and has been board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)The diagnosis is based on a pattern of the above listed symptoms. Most people with ADHD have at least one other
- Depression
- Mental HealthWe are located in the heart of Silicon Valley and provide a full range of mental health services based on comprehensive assessment, close collaboration with patients, their families, and referring clinicians. Our services meet the highest professional standards of care, follow the latest treatment protocols, and q
- PsychiatryDr. Smolenski's professional and academic careers in medicine have included private practice in California and Hawaii, as well as an appointment as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, at the University of Hawaii, Honolulu. Presently Dr. Smolenski is in private practice in Mountain View, California.
- Anxiety
- MRIMark Janusz Smolenski, M.D. - WHAT IS TMS THERAPY?Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is an FDA-approved treatment for people with depression who have not seen satisfactory improvement from anti-depressant medications.Using pulsed magnetic fields, TMS treats depression by stimulating the part of the brain believed to be involved in mood regulation.TMS Therapy is noninvasive (TMS is a not a surgical intervention. It does not require any sedation or anesthesia) and nonsystemic (it targets only the portion of the brain involved in emotional regulation. It is not like medications, which circulate in the bloodstream).How does TMS work?TMS is an outpatient procedure. The TMS technician applies a soft plastic coil to the patient’s scalp, sending magnetic pulses through the skull and 2-3 centimeters into the brain. The magnetic pulses stimulate specific parts of the brain with accuracy, ensuring only the tissue involved in mood regulation is targeted. The magnetic pulses used by TMS are so small they cannot be felt by the patient, and are similar to the ones used by a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine. When administered to the brain, these magnetic impulses produce a miniscule electrical current in the axon of neurons in the brain. The electrical currents cause the neurons in the brain to become active and lead to an increased release of neurotransmitters. Improved neurotransmission decreases depression. The typical course of treatment consists of 5 sessions per week over a 6 week period (30 treatments), followed by 3 weeks of tapering it (6 treatments) for a total of 36 sessions. Treatment sessions are 19 minutes in duration; most patients feel completely fine after sessions, and return to work or normal daily life.Is TMS a good alternative for patients who cannot tolerate the side effects of antidepressant medications, or those for whom antidepressants have been unsuccessful?Since TMS is not an oral medication it does not circulate in the bloodstream and cause unwanted side effects such as weight gain, dry mouth, or nausea. TMS has been cleared by the FDA for the treatment of patients with depression who have not had satisfactory improvement with antidepressant medications.Does TMS therapy have any side effects?The most commonly reported side effects during clinical trials were headache and scalp discomfort. These potential side effects were typically mild to moderate, and were less common after the first week of treatment. During clinical trials, less than 5% of patients treated with TMS discontinued treatment due to side effects. If necessary, headaches from TMS can be treated with over-the-counter pain medications. If the side effects persist, the strength of the TMS pulses can be temporarily reduced to ensure the comfort of the patient.What are the potential risks of TMS therapy?In clinical practices there have been rare reports of seizures. These instances of seizures were associated with the use of Wellbutrin and/or alcohol.