New Treatment

[itmahanh]

Pace makers are being used to treat depression. Over 6 years 200 people were treated by having wires connected to a pace maker that sends charges to the area of the brain that professionals believe causes depression. I believe the number of subjects that are responding positively is 67%. The other 33% did not respond or saw no change in their mental health. 4 of the subjects committed suicide. This treatment was offered after all others had failed or the depression was considered extreme or chronic.

With those numbers, if it were available to you, would you take the pacemaker treatment?

 

[Prinnctopher's Belt]

Uh, hell no. I'd rather do a suicide first.

 

[aoeu]

If I was in a permanent depression phase, certainly. I can't imagine it'll be widely offered given that it involves neurosurgery, though

 

[total eclipse]

really interesting i think i would take it.

 

[Sadeyes]

I just heard of someone who had the surgery, and I am awaiting the findings...I will post once I know more...J

 

[IV2010]

Interesting but a no-no for me...
I've had too many operations in my life and can't take anymore..
good for others to know about this new treatment though..

 

[Chargette]

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vagus-nerve-stimulation/MY00183

When I first heard of it, I couldn't remember the name of the nerve affected, which is the vagas nerve. I kept wanting to call it the viagra nerve.

 

[Lovecraft]

Pace makers are being used to treat depression. Over 6 years 200 people were treated by having wires connected to a pace maker that sends charges to the area of the brain that professionals believe causes depression. I believe the number of subjects that are responding positively is 67%. The other 33% did not respond or saw no change in their mental health. 4 of the subjects committed suicide. This treatment was offered after all others had failed or the depression was considered extreme or chronic.

With those numbers, if it were available to you, would you take the pacemaker treatment?

Yes. The principles of electrically stimulating the brain for emotional response has been around decades, it's really time they tried this.