F.D.A. Considers Implant Device for Depression (NY Times, free reg. req’d)
The Food and Drug Administration may soon approve a medical device that would be the first new treatment option for severely depressed patients in a generation, despite the misgivings of many experts who say there is little evidence that it works.
The pacemaker-like device, called a vagus nerve stimulator, is surgically implanted in the upper chest, and its wires are threaded into the neck, where it stimulates a nerve leading to the brain. It has been approved since 1997 for the treatment of some epilepsy patients, and the drug agency has told the manufacturer that it is now “approvable” for severe depression that is resistant to other treatment.
But in the only rigorously controlled trial so far in depressed patients, the stimulator was no more effective than surgery in which it was implanted but not turned on.
While some patients show significantly improved moods after having the $15,000 device implanted, most do not, the study found. And once the device is implanted, it is hard to remove entirely; surgeons say the wire leads are usually left inside the neck.
Proponents say that many severely depressed patients do not respond to antidepressants or electroshock therapy and that those patients are desperate for any treatment to relieve their suffering.
Wow. I’m not sure what to say about this, as I find it fascinating that such treatments are approved for this kind of use. While fairly safe, they are not really all that effective. Makes you wonder what lengths folks will go to relieve their suffering…
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“F.D.A. Considers Implant Device for Depression”
Dr. John,
I love your site! This is my take on suffering, it may not be in vain. I don’t beleive that God want’s anyone to suffer, but it’s also not in vain, I am sure of this!
The Brightest Light!
I want to see the darkness said the little voice! Your not ready said the higher power, the darkness is a terrible place. I want to be the brightest light there ever was, how can I know how bright I am shinning if I never see the darkness.
My son your light will shine and they will call you the blessed one, in the world of form, but you are not ready. His little voice cried out I want to be the brightest light. Time and time again he explained to God that he was ready for the task and that he would surly be the brightest light that there ever was. God in his infinite wisdom, now my son your time has come, but please know that the darkness is a vast wasteland and they have killed all those that come before you in my name, what makes you think that you will be any different?
My Lord there has never been someone who wanted to go into the darkness and shine like never before. Your wish will be granted, you will know how bright you are my son and I know without you going into the darkness we both could never know what true and unadulterated darkness can be like, therefore my son on with your mission.
Where am I, where is all the light I seem to be the only one that is shinning in this place. The darkness is cold my father was so right, but I
Came so that they my have life (The Light of the World). Some may scoff other just ignore and then there will be those that want to kill him for shinning so bright. This little bright light came to show others how to find the kingdom of heaven and he said it is within!
So what must you do to make it to glory if the Kingdom of Heaven Is Within, it’s simple make your star shine like the little voice in the darkness, saying give me a chance, I want to be the brightest light. You to my friend have a blue print for success become as the small brightest light that ever was, shine your glory on this world of darkness, be that bright light, shout out to glory, I’ll be back give me more, my light shall shine for ever more.
Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess, that the little voice in the darkness yelling at the top of his lungs, I want the darkness, I am ready for more I shall live in glory for as long as time will be and you will be the same, if and only if you become a bright shinning star and you in the end will say bleeding tears, father why has though forsaken me in the darkness you’ll scream but as long as you shone your light as bright as can be, your father will be waiting with that little voice, who is now in glory and shinning forever more.
Shall take you in his arms and say I love that you shinned as bright as you could come into glory and shine even more, well done though good and faithful servant. Now I’ll lay a crown at the brightest stars feet and I’ll walk the streets of Gold like all the shiners all before and will live in happiness for ever and ever more!
With All My Love,
Arthur Buchanan
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Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 26 May 2005
