At The Insync Brain in St. Louis, one of the most important steps we take before starting any treatment is performing a quantitative EEG (qEEG). This brain scan is a cornerstone of how we provide care. It helps us understand each patient’s unique brain activity and guides us in choosing the most effective treatment approach.
Some people benefit from standard TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation), which is FDA-cleared for treatment-resistant depression and uses established protocols that work well for many patients. Others are better suited for MeRT® (Magnetic E Resonance Therapy), a more personalized form of TMS that tailors stimulation to the individual’s brainwave patterns. The qEEG allows us to make this important distinction.
In this post, we will explain why qEEGs matter, how they shape treatment, what brainwaves tell us about your health, and how we determine whether TMS or MeRT® is the right fit for you.
What is a qEEG?
A qEEG (quantitative electroencephalogram) is a non-invasive test that records and analyzes the electrical activity of your brain. Neurons communicate using tiny bursts of electricity, and when measured on the scalp, these signals show up as patterns of brainwave activity.
Unlike a traditional EEG, which only records electrical activity, a qEEG uses advanced software to create a detailed map of brain function. This highlights areas that may be underactive, overactive, or not communicating well with other regions.
Because every brain is unique, this information allows us to move away from a one-size-fits-all approach if necessary. The qEEG is performed on every patient at our clinic before starting treatment, giving us the data we need to ensure you’re getting the right care for your brain’s needs.
TMS and MeRT®: Both Effective, But Different
TMS is an FDA-cleared therapy for treatment-resistant depression. It works by delivering gentle magnetic pulses at a set frequency, usually 10 Hz, to specific brain regions involved in mood regulation. This standard protocol is backed by research and has helped many patients who have not responded to medications or other therapies.
MeRT®, on the other hand, is a more individualized approach that uses qEEG results to guide treatment. Instead of relying on a fixed frequency for everyone, MeRT® adjusts the stimulation to match the patient’s own brainwave patterns. For example, if someone comes in with depression but their qEEG shows a natural brain rhythm of 11.2 Hz instead of 10 Hz, then MeRT® may be more appropriate.
The key difference is that TMS uses standardized protocols that work well for many patients, while MeRT® adapts the protocol to the individual. Neither option is “better” than the other in a general sense; the choice depends on what the qEEG reveals about your brain activity and how it relates to your symptoms.
How the qEEG Shapes Treatment
The qEEG provides a window into how your brain is functioning. By analyzing your unique brainwave activity, we can determine whether standard TMS protocols are a good match or whether a personalized MeRT® plan is likely to be more effective.
This process ensures that treatment is not based on trial and error. Instead, it is guided by objective data. If your brain rhythms align well with standard TMS protocols, we may recommend that approach. If your qEEG shows that your brain’s activity falls outside of that standard range, a personalized MeRT® protocol may be the better option.
In both cases, the qEEG allows us to design a treatment plan that is tailored to your needs and to track your progress over time with follow-up scans.
Understanding Brainwaves
Your brain produces different types of brainwaves, which are measured in Hertz (Hz) and associated with different states of mind and health. When these waves are balanced, your brain works smoothly. When they are dysregulated, symptoms such as anxiety, depression, sleep problems, or difficulty concentrating can appear.
Delta Waves (0.5 – 4 Hz)
Delta waves are the slowest brainwaves and are linked to deep sleep, rest, and physical restoration. Balanced delta activity helps you wake up refreshed. Too much delta during the day can cause grogginess and brain fog, while too little at night can lead to insomnia or restless sleep.
Theta Waves (4 – 8 Hz)
Theta waves are connected to relaxation, creativity, memory processing, and emotional regulation. Balanced theta activity supports a calm but alert state of mind. When theta is too high, it can cause distractibility and daydreaming. When it is too low, it can make it harder to relax or process emotions.
Alpha Waves (8 – 12 Hz)
Alpha waves represent a calm but wakeful state. They are often described as the brain’s “idling” rhythm. Healthy alpha activity helps reduce stress and supports learning and focus. Too little alpha can cause anxiety or hypervigilance, while too much can lead to sluggishness or lack of motivation.
Beta Waves (12 – 30 Hz)
Beta waves are associated with focus, active thinking, and problem-solving. Balanced beta activity helps with concentration and productivity. When beta activity is too high, it may lead to racing thoughts, tension, or anxiety.
How Treatment Aims to Balance Brainwaves
The purpose of both TMS and MeRT® is to encourage healthier brainwave patterns and restore balance.
With TMS, stimulation is applied at a fixed frequency, such as 10 Hz, which has been shown to improve mood regulation in patients with treatment-resistant depression. This works especially well when the patient’s natural brain activity is close to that frequency.
With MeRT®, the frequency and location of stimulation are customized based on the patient’s qEEG results. If the brain is running slower or faster than the standard range, MeRT® can help bring it into a healthier rhythm.
In both cases, the ultimate goal is the same: to support better brain communication and regulation, which may improve symptoms such as mood, sleep, focus, and emotional well-being.
Why This Matters for Patients
Many patients come to us after trying multiple treatments, including medication and therapy, with only partial success. By performing a qEEG first, we can determine whether standard TMS or MeRT® is more likely to help.
This provides peace of mind for patients, knowing their treatment is not based on guesswork but guided by objective data. It also ensures that care is individualized, whether through a standardized TMS protocol or a customized MeRT® plan.
Tracking Progress with qEEG
Another advantage of using qEEG is that we can track your progress over time. Follow-up qEEGs are performed at key points during treatment, allowing us to compare your brain activity to your baseline scan. Patients often notice improvements in mood, sleep, or focus, and the qEEG provides objective confirmation of those changes.
This combination of how you feel (subjective improvement) and what we can see in your brain activity (objective measurement) makes treatment progress more visible and reassuring.
Our Advanced Approach
At The Insync Brain in St. Louis, qEEGs are central to how we deliver care. We use them with every patient to determine whether standard TMS or personalized MeRT® is the best option. Both treatments are effective and valuable. TMS provides a proven, standardized approach for treatment-resistant depression, while MeRT® allows us to tailor therapy to the individual brain when needed.
By understanding your brainwaves—delta, theta, alpha, and beta—we can design a treatment plan that works with your brain, not against it. Our goal is to help you achieve relief from symptoms and support long-term brain health.
If you are interested in learning more, we invite you to contact our team to discuss whether TMS or MeRT® may be the right fit for you.