Magnetic Stimulation to Treat Depression

Photon1001 · 10-24-2008, 10:16 PM

New Non-Drug Treatment For Depression – Magnetic Stimulation Therapy
Submitted by Jeffrey Workman on October 21, 2008 - 3:10pm. Health | Mind
New Non-Drug Treatment For Depression – Magnetic Stimulation Therapy

NeuroStar TMS

(Best Syndication News) There is a new non-drug FDA approved option for the treatment of severe depression (see image below). The NeuroStar TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) therapy system is only to be used for patients with major depressive disorder, commonly known as treatment-resistant depression. These patients have failed to improve with other treatments or medication.

The research was initiated by the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and later developed by NeuroStar. In the 1980s University Professor of Psychiatry and Brain Stimulation Laboratory Director Mark George, M.D. began working on this therapy for depression. "Everyone in the Brain Stimulation Laboratory has worked so hard for so many years on these studies," he said.
How Does TMS Work?

The TMS system is non-invasive and non-systemic (does not circulate in the bloodstream like drugs). It delivers MRI-strength magnetic pulses which stimulate nerve cells in an area of the brain that is linked to depression.

There is no need for anesthesia or sedation and the patient remains awake and alert. The session only lasts for 40 minutes and is completed on an outpatient basis. It is done daily for 4-6 weeks.
What The Researchers Say

The company says there is no weight gain or sexual dysfunction associated with the procedure. MUSC researchers say that millions of patients with treatment-resistant clinical depression could be candidates.

“Despite the gloom and doom that seems to surround us, the world is slightly better today than yesterday, as patients with depression have another option to try and relieve their pain and suffering," George said.

Throughout the NeuroStar TMS Therapy studies, more than 10,000 active TMS treatments were safely performed with:

• No systemic side effects, such as sedation, nausea, or dry mouth

• No adverse effects on concentration or memory

• No seizures

• No device-drug interactions

• Mild to moderate scalp pain or discomfort at the treatment area during treatment, which declined after the first week of treatment

• A less than 5 percent discontinuation rate due to adverse events

• There were no new safety observations compared to those seen during acute treatment during a 6 month follow-up period

The treatment was approved by the FDA on Octover 7th 2008.

By Jeffrey Workman
Best Syndication News Health Writer
New Non-Drug Treatment For Depression â€“ Magnetic Stimulation Therapy | Best Syndication

See also:

Transcranial magnetic stimulation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It sounds so crazy, but some new studies are positive.

Electromagnetic Stimulation For Treatment-Resistant Depression

HughRuss · 10-24-2008, 10:34 PM

David Foster Wallace tried that.

Photon1001 · 10-24-2008, 10:37 PM

yeah, but he had very severe depression. New technologies are still emerging.

HughRuss · 10-24-2008, 10:52 PM

Originally Posted by Photon1001

yeah, but he had very severe depression. New technologies are still emerging.

So this can't treat severe depression?

Don't we already have medication that treats "regular" depression?

Photon1001 · 10-24-2008, 11:08 PM

well, yeah, but this really is only used when that doesn't work or along with those medications.

The interesting thing I find about this is though, is that we know that our thoughts are electromagnetic signals, as these new technologies are emerging, it may show it possible to affect those signals from outside the brain, outside the body.

HughRuss · 10-25-2008, 12:09 AM

Originally Posted by Photon1001

well, yeah, but this really is only used when that doesn't work or along with those medications.

The interesting thing I find about this is though, is that we know that our thoughts are electromagnetic signals, as these new technologies are emerging, it may show it possible to affect those signals from outside the brain, outside the body.

Electromagnetic signals arise from the chemical processes involved with transporting them. The nuts and bolts of the process is a chemical event rather than an electrical or electromagnetic event.

Photon1001 · 10-25-2008, 12:16 AM

^Yes, but chemicals are comprised of atoms, and have electrons, which can be electro-magnetically charged, and e=mc^2 and m=e/c^2.

HughRuss · 10-25-2008, 12:25 AM

Originally Posted by Photon1001

^Yes, but chemicals are comprised of atoms, and have electrons, which can be electro-magnetically charged, and e=mc^2 and m=e/c^2.

By that logic, everything in this world --every force that is-- is an electromagnetic event. (I don't see how equations relating mass and energy have any relevance to chemical processes causing a slight flux in electrical charge).

We should tell those supporters of Super Gravitation, String Theory, and the rest of those attempting to explain gravity that their grail resides in electrical charges...

Photon1001 · 10-25-2008, 12:37 AM

^Well, that's, believe it or not, a real possibility.

Plasma cosmology - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Although, I'm not quite so sure its that simple.

HughRuss · 10-25-2008, 12:38 AM

Originally Posted by Photon1001

^Well, that's, believe it or not, a real possibility.

Plasma cosmology - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Although, I'm not quite so sure its that simple.

I meant it facetiously.

Schrödinger's Cat · 10-25-2008, 07:28 AM

Originally Posted by HughRuss

(I don't see how equations relating mass and energy have any relevance to chemical processes causing a slight flux in electrical charge).

It has nothing to do with it.

Originally Posted by Photon1001

^Well, that's, believe it or not, a real possibility.

Plasma cosmology - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Although, I'm not quite so sure its that simple.

The reason why that idea isn't researched is that it causes more problems than it solves and it contradicts established observations. It isn't considered by mainstream physicists for very good reasons.

Photon1001 · 10-25-2008, 12:46 PM

^Oh, I know, its deeply flawed. its just that some aspects of it may still pan out anyway, even though on the whole its incorrect.

Heres Johnny · 10-25-2008, 06:51 PM

Kind of along the same lines as ECT and Vagus Nerve Stimulation. There has been some positive effects in controlled situations, but there's a lot more testing to be done. Depression usually screws around with the Serotonin and norpinephrin receptors, but exactly how electricicity or magnetics works on those receptors isn't
quite an exact science (yet). Many people who have tried ECT have significant memory loss. I would imagine that a high flux field could do similar damage. Anybody out there with depression.... I'm not saying to rule it out completely, just be carefull and DO YOUR HOMEWORK BEFORE YOU DECIDE. Ask you Doc about new SSRI's or Wellbutrin. (only a suggestion)