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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by okydoky on May 30, 2008, at 19:58:21
This is probably posted somewhere else but here it goes. My neighbor said she saw on PBS (I think) a program about depression and Deep Brain Stimulation. She described it like what is done with people with Parkinsons. Said it was pacemaker type device with electrodes in the brain. I have not heard of this. Can anyone tell me anything?
oky
Posted by garylee on May 30, 2008, at 20:13:26
In reply to Deep Brain Stimulation, posted by okydoky on May 30, 2008, at 19:58:21
Oky
I heard about this treatment a long time ago. My brother was speaking with a Canadian Doctor who was possibly willing to try it on him for his Bipolar NOS. Not sure what happened in the end, it didn't go ahead, but I'm unsure why...
It's a very interesting treatment indeed and is worth pursuing.
I found this link on Google:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_brain_stimulation
Mentions a use for Depression as well as Parkinsons and other applications.
Have you researched it anymore?
Gary
Posted by okydoky on May 30, 2008, at 20:34:08
In reply to Re: Deep Brain Stimulation, posted by garylee on May 30, 2008, at 20:13:26
I have not done any research at all. Yesturday was the first I heard of it. I had looked into Vagus Neverve Stimulator a few years ago but was not very impressed. If you find any more information let me know. I will look into it when I have the focus. Did you check on the "Alternative" site? I have not done anything yet.
oky
Posted by Phillipa on May 30, 2008, at 23:51:31
In reply to Re: Deep Brain Stimulation » garylee, posted by okydoky on May 30, 2008, at 20:34:08
We have the show recorded and were watching that part tonight. A woman had tried every treatment there was and was institutionalized as so suicidal for over a year then they did the DBS and she was able to go home and be a Mother to her kids. Sounds very good to me. All meds had failed her. The program mentioned a place in the brain called 25 and showed that is was toned down after a depressive episode different segment and the frontal lobe lit up. See if your cable or a friends may be showing the program again it's excellent gives hope where none was before. Also said ECT was now 80% effective for eliminating depression and after stay on meds. Excellent show. Love Phillipa
Posted by blueboy on May 31, 2008, at 10:37:35
In reply to Deep Brain Stimulation, posted by okydoky on May 30, 2008, at 19:58:21
> This is probably posted somewhere else but here it goes. My neighbor said she saw on PBS (I think) a program about depression and Deep Brain Stimulation. She described it like what is done with people with Parkinsons. Said it was pacemaker type device with electrodes in the brain. I have not heard of this. Can anyone tell me anything?
>
You can watch the recent PBS show "Depression: Out of the Shadows" online:http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/takeonestep/depression/video-ch_01.html
Also, it is being rebroadcast fairly often, as it was a popular show.
I know that the Cleveland Clinic has a very active DBS program for depression; however, they have a bad reputation for not sharing information with other research entities. Not to say that they don't do a great job.
The DBS on the television show was a woman at Emory U. in Atlanta. I recently consulted a researcher at Emory and he said that there aren't any research programs starting in the near future dealing with DBS for Bipolar disorders.
I'd be a bit careful about the success stories shown on tv. The success rate for the study I looked at was under 50%. However, I am guessing that the patients were extremely therapy resistant, so 50% may be a very high achievement. Certainly, it is an invasive procedure.
I was recently told I was "definitely" bipolar, for the first time in decades of treatment for depression and anxiety. For myself, if I go through more than 4 or 5 drugs targeted at Bipolar without success, I would rather try DBS than ECT.
Posted by okydoky on May 31, 2008, at 11:15:18
In reply to Re: Deep Brain Stimulation, posted by blueboy on May 31, 2008, at 10:37:35
Thanks all. When I am feeling not so vulnerable I will watch it.
oky
Posted by BGB on May 31, 2008, at 18:17:14
In reply to Re: Deep Brain Stimulation, posted by okydoky on May 31, 2008, at 11:15:18
If you go to the clinical research trial website, there are several DBS programs currently underway. It does mention that you must have failed several antidepressant trials as well as several sessions of ECT in order to qualify.
www.clinicaltrials.gov
This is the end of the thread.
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