The United States government has approved the first non-invasive brain stimulator to treat depression - a device that beams magnetic pulses through the skull.
The pulses trigger small electrical charges that spark brain cells to fire.
Yet, it doesn't carry the risks of surgically-implanted electrodes or the treatment of last resort -
shock therapy.
Called Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), the therapy is specifically for patients who had no relief from their first antidepressant, offering them a different option than trying pill after pill.
The pulses trigger small electrical charges that spark brain cells to fire.
Yet, it doesn't carry the risks of surgically-implanted electrodes or the treatment of last resort -
shock therapy.
Called Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), the therapy is specifically for patients who had no relief from their first antidepressant, offering them a different option than trying pill after pill.
"We're opening up a whole new area of medicine," says Dr Mark George of the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, who helped pioneer use of TMS in depression. "There's a whole field now that's moving forward of non-invasive electrical stimulation of the brain."
TMS is expected to cost between US$6,000 and US$10,000, depending on how many treatments a patient needs, says Dr Philip Janicak of Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.
Although that's far more expensive than medication, it's thousands of dollars cheaper than invasive depression devices.
Neuroscientists have been using TMS for years as a research tool in brain studies.
TMS is also being studied in stroke rehabilitation and other brain disorders.
The theory: Stimulating brain cells in the prefrontal cortex triggers a chain reaction that also stimulates deeper brain regions involved with mood.
Some people report feeling better after just two weeks of TMS, despite a long history of depression.
Source : AP
Categories:
Health and Medicine
3 comments:
Salaaam. It's good to know that there is an alternative to the pills. I don't really like pills. They usually just release pain or disease in short time, but the disease will not go away.
Almost all pills also bring us to another diseases like heart attack, diabetes, high blood pressure and so on. I better go for alternative medicine like herbalism .......
Good post dear! :)
That's anthor good post in your Blog.
I guess It's also help peoples with broken heart.
Hey Super Info Thailand. If depression comes along with broken heart mebbe it should help yeah.
Depression..stress.. all the modern day ailments..this rat race world..
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