VNS Therapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression

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VNS Therapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression

Vagus Nerve Stimulation therapy may help

(April 05, 2007) BLOOMINGTON -- About 19 million adults a year suffer from depression, and about 10 to 30 percent of those cases are resistant to treatment -- meaning no medication or therapy provides any relief.

In 2004, a new treatment emerged, called Vagus Nerve Stimulation, or VNS.

Julie Dennis, a woman from Bloomington, suffers from treatment-resistant depression and decided to try VNS a few months ago.

She’s suffered from depression for most of her life.

A traumatic event in her childhood triggered it.

"In 1972, in January, my parents, Tom and Kathy Dennis died on January 9 in a single airplane accident,” said Dennis.

Like many who suffer from depression, over the years, the condition consumed her.

"[I was] just not participating in life. Hopelessness, helplessness, a couple of suicidal overdoses,” she said.

She tried many different treatments and medications -- even electroshock therapy -- but nothing worked.

"Multiple medications, lots of psychotherapy from a good psychotherapist and several episodes of ECT,” said Julie’s psychiatrist, Dr. Scott Hamilton.

Her doctor diagnosed her with treatment-resistant depression, and suggested a new treatment -- called Vagus Nerve Stimulation.

A small stimulator, weighing less than an ounce, is implanted in the chest wall, and leads connect it to the vagus nerve.

Then, it sends electrical impulses to the brain.

"It sends the electrical impulses to areas of the brain that cause the release of some of the neurochemicals that we think are helpful with depression,” said Dr. Hamilton.

After about six months of VNS, Julie finally felt some relief.

"Just this past march, two-thirds of the days I didn't have depression, and that's just short of a miracle for me."

Now, she has a whole new outlook on life.

"I have depression, but depression is not my life."

Doctors don't know how long the effects of VNS will last.

The therapy is only approved for people over the age of 18 who have tried four different treatments for depression, but experienced no relief.

By Kim Carollo
Source: HOI News

Last updated: 4/07

VNS Therapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression

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