| I attended the Vagus Nerve Stimulation and | | | | sustained benefit and lack of memory loss with vagus |
| Depression Conference at the headuarters of the | | | | nerve stimulation is very important |
| manufacturer of the vagus nerve stimulator in Houston. | | | | - Vagus nerve stimulation projects to key brain stem |
| The meeting was attended by the leading psychiatric | | | | regions |
| thought leaders in the United States. | | | | - The advantage of stimulation compared to drugs is |
| The scientists and researchers at the conference | | | | that stimulation leaves no residue on the brain |
| made the some comments that are important to you: | | | | - Formal research by scientists about vagus nerve |
| - 20% of patients cannot tolerate antidepressants, | | | | stimulation and depression will continue for the next 5 |
| 35% of patients will lose the efficacy of an | | | | years |
| antidepressant that previously worked for them | | | | Clearly the impulses sent to the brain via the vagus |
| - Patients who suffer from chronic depression have a | | | | nerve are superior to antidepressants because they |
| high co-morbidity rate with respect to other illnesses, i.e. | | | | strategically target the critical areas of the brain in a |
| they suffer other illnesses such as chronic pain, | | | | much more efficient and effective way then |
| cardiovascular disease, obesity and are at higher risk | | | | pharmacuticals. |
| for Type II diabetes | | | | You can learn more about the first ever FDA |
| - Anatomic targeting of parts of the brain is very | | | | approved long term treatment option for depression at |
| important | | | | |
| - Patterns of stimulation can dramatically improve | | | | Charles Donovan was a patient in the FDA |
| outcomes | | | | investigational trial of vagus nerve stimulation as a |
| - There is a direct pathway via the vagus nerve that | | | | treatment for chronic or recurrent treatment-resistant |
| targets those areas of the brain responsible for mood | | | | depression. He was implanted with the vagus nerve |
| and depression | | | | stimulator in April of 2001. |
| - Compared to ECT, which can be very effective, the | | | | |