The FDA has granted 510(k) clearance to Atlanta-based neurocare group AG for its Apollo TMS Therapy device to treat major depressive disorder in adolescents, marking a significant expansion of non-pharmacologic treatment options for this underserved population.
The transcranial magnetic stimulation device was previously cleared by the FDA to treat MDD in adults who have not responded to oral antidepressants, as well as an adjunctive treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder in adults without adequate response to traditional therapies.
Addressing Critical Treatment Gaps
The clearance addresses a significant unmet medical need in adolescent mental health care. Currently, only two oral antidepressants have received FDA approval for use in adolescents, both carrying black box warnings—the strongest FDA-issued caution for medications—due to the high potential for individuals to experience suicidal thoughts and actions.
These approved medications demonstrate limited efficacy, achieving symptom remission in only 35% of patients and showing high discontinuation rates. In contrast, TMS therapy demonstrates superior outcomes, with approximately 60% of patients achieving symptom remission according to statistics cited by the company.
"This FDA clearance significantly expands access to Apollo TMS Therapy for adolescent patients with MDD, a population that has long faced limited and often suboptimal treatment options," said Stanford Miller, managing director of neurocare group America.
Technology and Clinical Implementation
The Apollo TMS device operates through a clinician-controlled system that fits a magnetic coil onto the patient's head, delivering targeted stimulation to specific brain regions responsible for mood and emotional regulation. This non-invasive, drug-free approach offers an alternative treatment pathway for neuropsychiatric conditions.
The system is designed for precision and consistency, enabling clinicians to deliver targeted neuromodulation with high reliability across diverse care settings. With over 300 systems already deployed across the United States, the company is positioned to support providers in scaling evidence-based, non-pharmacologic care for younger patients.
Clinical Significance
The clearance represents a milestone in advancing safe, effective, and accessible mental health solutions through clinically validated technology. Miller emphasized that "this milestone reinforces our commitment to advancing safe, effective and accessible mental health solutions through clinically validated technology."
The expansion of TMS therapy to adolescents provides healthcare providers with a non-pharmacologic alternative that avoids the safety concerns associated with antidepressant medications in this vulnerable population while potentially offering superior efficacy outcomes.
