Posted by Bob on October 3, 2006, at 1:44:06
In reply to Re: DBS? what is it? » Jost, posted by SLS on October 2, 2006, at 5:52:50
> DBS = deep brain stimulation
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> You can Google it.
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> It is a treatment idea that was stolen from Parkinsons.
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> There is a structure in the brain that is overactive in depression. It is known as Brodman's area 25 in the subgenual cingulate of the limbic-cortical system. It was hypothesised that signaling here could be disrupted by sending electical pulses through two electrodes, and that this might be therapeutic for depression.
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> A small hole is drilled in the skull and two wires routed through the brain while the patient is awake. Using MRI as a visual aid, these wires are tarteted to Brodman's area 25. The stimulator is turned on and a determination is made whether there is any therapeutic effect based upon what the patient reports. An immediate effect is expected if the wires are positioned optimally. Patients often report objects in the operating room looking more colorful and that there is slight lifting of mood or that they feel somehow "lighter". A stimulator device is implanted in the chest and is capable of being adjusted.
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> This thing will get a higher percentage of people well than VNS.
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> US clinical trial:
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> http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00367003?order=1
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> - Scott
So, is all the equipment, i.e. wires, stimulators and whatever completely implanted inside the skull and body, or is there a wire permanently penetrating the skull? In other words, is there a permanent whole in the person's skull?
poster:Bob
thread:690991
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060927/msgs/691387.html