New Treatment for Depression to be FDA Approved by Late June


With the next few weeks, the FDA is expected to issue its final approval of vagus nerve stimulation as a treatment for chronic or recurrent depression. The approval of vagus nerve stimulation will be the first ever FDA approved long-term treatment option for the four million desperate Americans( and their families) who have not had an adequate response to traditional anti-depressants.

When approved, this treatment will be considered the one of major breakthroughs in medical device history. The benefits of this therapy include:

• Vagus nerve stimulation is more effective than anti-depressants
• VNS does not have the side effects of antidepressants
• Compliance is guaranteed. Once the device is activated, there's no further action required
• Efficacy improves over time ("No Prozac poop out")
• Quality-of-life benefits improve over time
• No drug interactions
• No cognitive impairment (i.e. memory loss)

Stimulation to the left vagus nerve has been proven to favorably modulate those ares of the brain that are responsible for mood and depression. The procedure is unrelated to brain surgery or electroconvulsive therapy. The stimulator is implanted in the patient's upper left chest, just below the arm pit. A lead wire is then tunneled underneath the skin and coiled around the left vagus nerve in the neck. For cosmectic reasons, the incision is at the lowest fold of the patient's neck. The scar heals very quickly and is barely noticeable as it is difficult to diffentiate between the fold and the healed scar.

Learn more how this therapy can bring genuine happiness and joy to your life at http://www.vagusnervestimulator.com/ There is a free newsletter to keep you up-to-date on the latest developments. Also available on the site is the book Out of the Black Hole: The Patient's Guide to Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Depression. Do yourself a favor and become fully educated about this remarkable device. It could change your life.

Charles Donovan was a patient in the FDA investigational trial of vagus nerve stimulation as a treatment for chronic or recurrent treatment-resistant depression. He was implanted with the vagus nerve stimulator in April of 2001. He chronicles his journey from the grips of depression thanks to vagus nerve stimulation therapy in his book:

Out of the Black Hole: The Patient's Guide to Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Depression

The book was exhibited at the American Psychiatric Association's Annual Meeting, May 21st-May 26th in Atlanta, GA. This is the largest gathering of psychiatrists in the world( 25,000 attendees). It is available on http://www.Amazon.com

He is the founder of http://www.VagusNerveStimulator.com Web Site.

More Resources

Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting

More Depression Information:

Related Articles

Depression and EPA Fish Oil - Does It Really Work?
It is now no secret that people all over the western world are turning to high grade ethyl EPA omega 3 fish oil to treat a number of conditions, but can it really work against a problem that knows no boundaries of age, race or gender. It is a condition that affects millions of people at some time in there lives, it's called depression.
Natural Remedies For Depression
It is true that forms of depression cannot be avoided, although, it has also been proved that a healthy life style can play a major role in alleviating depression or even preventing some forms from even occurring. Mild types of depression can develop from poor diet and nutrition.
Mood Disorders And Depression
We all suffer with bad moods from time to time. But if you are someone who is in a bad mood or depressed much of the time, take heart.
Learn To Take Control of Depression
While depression is a growing epidemic in western society, it remains to be one of the most treatable as well. While the medical profession looks first to medication, I believe only the most severe cases require any long-term medical treatment.
The Patients Guide to Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Depression
INTRODUCTION Everybody has a story. My story is the one I know best and can write about.
Recognizing Depression's Warning Signs
Depression is a serious illness, not a harmless part of life. It is a complex disorder with a variety of causes.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome And Depression Are Not The Same Thing!
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a very misunderstood illness and this is perhaps why there are so many myths about it. Perhaps the most common myth about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is that it is effectively a mental condition, and another name for depression.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids and Depression - A Natural Treatment
A new research study has again shown that a diet rich in omega3 fatty acids can effectively treat and prevent depression and other mental disorders.The research, published in the February issue of the journal, Biological Psychiatry, has actually shown that omega3 fatty acids and foods that are high in uridine were as good as (and often better than) anti-depressant drugs in reducing the symptoms of depression.
Get Rid Of Depression Once And For All
Depression is something that will occur in many people'slives, for various reasons. But the "normal" occurrence ofa plunge in mood due to stressful events in your life,usually doesn't last very long, before a person's naturalresilience responds to the environment of friends andfamily.
Depression: What It Is and What You Can Do About It
There are three basic ways to treat depression: psychotherapy, self-help, and medication. Many people respond best to a combination of two or more methods.
ADHD and Depression -- More Common Than Thought
"Thanks for Noticin' Me" says Eeyore. He walks slowly.
Reclaiming Your Life From Anxiety Symptoms
Only somebody who has lived with anxiety - as either a sufferer or a carer - knows how devastating it can be. The affect can be seen and felt across every aspect of your life for years and years.
Hurricane Recovery: Steps to Start Putting Your Life Back in Order
It seems unreal, another major storm hitting Florida after experiencing four last year. The beginning of hurricane season, Floridians were just starting to get past the destructive events that caused many of people stress and even, depression.
Insurance Reimbursement for Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Depression
I attended the Vagus Nerve Stimulation Therapy Conference at the manufacturers' (Cyberonics) headquarters in Houston, TX in late July. The Conference presenters included senior management, psychiatric thought leaders and study investigators from the investigational clinical trial.
Acidity Depresses Thyriod Function
THE RISKAccumulation of acids in your body, due to insufficient digestion of food, food allergies and consumption of acid-forming substances, can depress thyroid function. Acid-related causes of hypothyroidism also include exposure to heavy metals and toxic chemicals in the water supply and in highly processed food.
More Than You Can Handle?
There's a dangerous illness afflicting women everywhere across the nation. It's linked to considerable physical and mental suffering.
Biological Psychiatry Confirms of Efficacy and Safety of VNS Therapy for Depression
The September 1, 2005 issue of Biological Psychiatry confirmed the efficacy and safety of vagus nerve stimulation for chronic or recurrent treatment-resistant depression. The U.
Major Depression and Manic Depression - Any Difference?
Countless number of patients and their family members have asked me about manic-depression and major depression. "Is there any difference?" "Are they one and the same?" "Is the treatment the same?" And so on.
Major Depression and Its Serious Complications
When suffering from clinical depression, people have different ways of confronting it. Some acknowledge it, face it just like any problem, and seek help.
Cure Against Depression and Low Self Confidence
Depression strikes most of us and it can make us paralysed. It is essential that we do not let it get too much influence on our lives.