New Treatment for Depression to be Presented at the American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting

Within the next few weeks, the FDA is expected to issue its final approval of a medical breakthrough treatment for chronic or treatment-resistant depression. This new therapy will be presented at the American Psychiatric Association's Annual Meeting in Atlanta from May 21st-May 25th. The Annual Meeting is the largest gathering of psychiatrists in the world. Over 25,000 psychiatrists are expected to attend this important medical meeting.

After an eight-year investigation of vagus nerve stimulation and depression, the FDA has deemed the therapy approvable with its final and binding approval decision expected within the next two weeks. Upon final approval, patients will be able to get a prescription( from their psychiatrist) for vagus nerve stimulation, also called VNS Therapy. Vagus nerve stimulation has been FDA approved for epilepsy patients since 1997. Over 30,000 epilespy patients have safely been implanted with the stimulator. The vagus nerve nerve is a direct pathway to the hippocampus and hypothalmus in the brain.

The 60-90 minute out-patient procedure is performed by a neurosurgeon or an otolaryngologist( Ear, nose and throat). A small pacemaker-like stimulator is imlanted in the patient's upper left chest, just below the left arm pit. A lead wire from the stimulator is tunneled underneath the skin and coiled around the left vagus nerve in the patient's neck. The two- inch incision is made at the lowest fold of the neck and the surgeon's knife never goes above the lowest part of the neck.

The procedure is unrelated to brain surgery or electro-convulsive therapy. In the FDA investigational studies, it was proven that stimulation to the left vagus nerve favorably modulates those areas of the brain responsible for mood and depression. There are no pain fibers in the vagus nerve, so most patients do not feel any discomfort or sensation when the device is activated.

When approved, vagus nerve stimulation will be the first FDA approved long-term therapy for patients who have not had an adequate response to traditional antidepressants.

Learn more how this therapy can bring genuine happiness and joy to your life at 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 will be 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).

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

Latest News


Depression linked to poorer diabetes control
Reuters - 16 hours ago
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Depression may make it harder for people with diabetes to keep their blood sugar levels in check, researchers have found. ...
Psychotherapy may help with diabetes control Reuters India
Utah Offers Low-Cost A1C Testing eMaxHealth.com
all 8 news articles

Another Great Depression?
Wadena Pioneer Journal, MN - 3 hours ago
The predictions are everywhere: the current economic crisis is the worst since the Great Depression or “we’re entering another Great Depression,” some of ...

Fairfax Students Report Depression
Mount Vernon Gazette, VA - 10 hours ago
By Julia O'Donoghue The percentage of Fairfax County Public School students reporting depression has fallen in the last seven years but still remains higher ...
Column: Of Budgets and Buses Fairfax Connection
all 12 news articles

Depression risk hits shares
The Australian, Australia - 4 hours ago
THE risk of global "Great Depression" is emphasised by the largest fall in US consumer prices for 61 years. “The cost of living in America fell at its ...
The US economy needs a daring stimulus plan Seattle Times
all 11 news articles

Depression vs. Now: From a Man Who Knows
MyFox Kansas City, MO - 5 hours ago
As the nation's economy worsens, a Kansas man who lived through the Great Depression compares now and then. LEE'S SUMMIT, MO. -- Between the job losses, ...

Real cattle values cut in half since 1989: NFU
Manitoba Co-operator, Canada - 12 hours ago
These half-price cattle are bankrupting family farmers across Canada and creating the most severe crisis in the sector since the Great Depression. ...
Report says family cattle producers facing most severe crisis ... Canoe.ca
Industry changes bankrupting cattle farmers: report CBC.ca
NFU Releases Report on Cattle Sector Saskatoonhomepage.ca
all 42 news articles

Montgomery County Sentinel

Accused killer spoke of depression and debt
Montgomery County Sentinel, MD - 6 hours ago
By Bailey Quinonez ROCKVILLE - It was a combination of gambling debt and depression that drove two "good friends" apart and left one of them dead, ...

RTE.ie

FOMC Minutes: Recession & Depression Simultaneously
24/7 Wall St., NY - 13 hours ago
If you don't think this is a recession or a depression just read through the full minutes. You will see a recession and you might get depression. ...
The Economic Forecast? Cloudy with a Chance of Showers, at Least ... Knowledge@W. P. Carey (registration)
FOMC Minutes Raises the Specter for Further Economic Weakness istockAnalyst.com (press release)
all 555 news articles

Great Depression interpretation of Bible story will make Perham’s ...
Perham Enterprise Bulletin, MN - 11 hours ago
Famine, locusts, economic distress, terrible weather and crop failures are common themes to the Joseph story and the Great Depression. ...

New York Times

So Mr. Skelos, What’s Your Plan?
New York Times, United States - 5 hours ago
Such cuts are politically unpopular but absolutely essential, as the state struggles with the worst economic outlook since the Great Depression. ...
Lawmakers, Paterson can't agree on cuts Lower Hudson Journal news
Time for Gov. David Paterson to get tough on budget New York Daily News
We must set aside politics to produce real results Albany Times Union
Newsday - Ithaca Journal
all 547 news articles

Resources