Vagus nerve stimulation and deep brain stimulation for treatment resistant depression

Med Health R I. 2006 Apr;89(4):137, 140-1.

Abstract

Neurostimulation techniques are potentially useful options for severely depressed patients who have failed trial after trial of medication and psychotherapy. Cervical VNS therapy for chronic or recurrent depression which does not resolve with pharmacotherapy was recently approved by the FDA. DBS for severe intractable depression has been studied in two pilot studies with very few patients to date. Further investigations are currently underway in order to more fully evaluate both of these neurostimulation therapies, with the hope of substantially improving the treatment of refractory depression.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Deep Brain Stimulation / adverse effects
  • Deep Brain Stimulation / methods*
  • Depressive Disorder / therapy*
  • Drug Resistance*
  • Electric Stimulation Therapy / adverse effects
  • Electric Stimulation Therapy / economics
  • Electric Stimulation Therapy / methods*
  • Electrodes, Implanted
  • Humans
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vagus Nerve*