To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: DG DISPATCH - APA: Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Treatment-Resistant Depression URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/1D2796.htm Doctor's Guide May 18, 2000
By Lara Pullen Special to DG News CHICAGO, IL -- May 18, 2000 -- Long-term vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) appears to be a safe and effective treatment for a significant number of patients with severe, treatment-resistant depression. VNS stimulation is an approved form of therapy for treatment-resistant epilepsy and requires surgery and the "wearing" of a palm-sized stimulator. At the 2000 Annual Meeting of the American Psychiatric Association, in Chicago, IL, Lauren B. Marangell, MD, of Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, presented the results of an open trial of the effects of VNS on depression. The trial included 30 outpatients with non-psychotic, major depressive disorder (n=21), bipolar I disorder (n=4), or bipolar II depressed phase disorder (n=5). These patients were in a current major depressive episode for two years or more or had four or more major depressive episodes in their lifetime. Patients in the study were allowed to take stable psychotropic medication regimens. There were 11 acute phase responders, of whom 91 percent maintained response at nine months. There were 16 acute phase non-responders, of whom 38 percent were responders by nine months. Data for the nine-month visit were not available for one acute phase responder and two acute phase non-responders. Any physicians interested in participating in the extension of the pilot study should phone the Physician Referral Line at 1-888-748-1657. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 1999 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of P\S\L content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of P\S\L. P\S\L shall not be liable for any errors, omissions or delays in this content or any other content on its sites, newsletters or other publications, nor for any decisions or actions taken in reliance on such content. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This news story was printed from *Doctor's Guide to the Internet* located at http://www.docguide.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to News Story Page This site is maintained by webmaster@pslgroup.com Please contact us with any comments, problems or bugs. All contents Copyright (c) 1998 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved.