They can cure it now, apparently. - Democratic Underground

mix

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Tue Jan-25-11 06:36 PM
Original message

They can cure it now, apparently.

At least for this interesting woman.

Deep brain stimulation surgery 'first' for depression
The technique, deep brain stimulation, involves the use of electrodes which are implanted into the brain through holes drilled in the skull.

The electrodes are attached to a battery pack which delivers small amounts of electricity to stimulate or inhibit specific areas in the brain.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12274271
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/214727.php

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Warpy

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Tue Jan-25-11 07:26 PM
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1. That's actually been done for about 10 years

for people with depression that hasn't responded to meds or shock treatments. It's both rare and risky, the electrodes providing a route for infection that need to be watched very carefully, but the only alternatives are suicide or imprisonment to prevent suicide.

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mix

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Tue Jan-25-11 09:23 PM
Response to Reply #1

2. I have never heard of this treatment before.

I can understand the danger. There must be more comprehensive statistics on its success/failure rate if its been around 10 years.

:hi: fellow NM

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ruggerson

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Tue Jan-25-11 09:25 PM
Response to Original message

3. This is actually mainly a treatment for Parkinson's

and apparently a very effective one.

They are trying it now for other conditions. Depression being one of them

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Terra Alta

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Tue Jan-25-11 09:30 PM
Response to Original message

4. As someone who suffers from depression

I would only do this as a very last resort.

My medication and therapy are doing a pretty good job right now at keeping my depression at bay. The thought of having a hole drilled in my skull and having electrodes implanted on my brain freaks me out -- but I would do it if nothing else worked.

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mix

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Tue Jan-25-11 09:34 PM
Response to Reply #4

5. I don't think I would ever need this, but who knows?

Meds and therapy work for me too for now.

:hi:

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