Implantable cranial nerve stimulator approved for depression treatment
Cyberonics produces a vagal nerve stimulator to help patients control epileptic seizures. Now, it looks like stimulating the vagus nerve might also help treat chronic depression. Interestingly, the economics are in favor of the device: According to a NYT article: The cost of the Cyberonics device and implanting it is about $20,000. Cyberonics said insurers had calculated that severe depressions that cannot be treated cost an average of $42,000 a year per patient, mostly from the injuries suffered in attempted suicides and accidents related to the illness.
February 8th, 2005 at 3:53 pm
“Interestingly, the economics are in favor of the device”
at least, according to the manufacturer.
March 1st, 2005 at 11:19 pm
Implantable Devices for Major Depression
There already has been some media buzz, and a few blog posts, about the implantable vagus nerve stimulator. It first was developed as a treatment for epilepsy, and it is being investigated for the treatment-resistant depression. One blogger is neut…
May 8th, 2005 at 12:24 am
Depression
Information about depression
July 6th, 2005 at 8:29 pm
I have done a lot of reading about the vagus nerve stimulator and
know it is for me. can you help me get the VNS I am willing to do
whatever it takes to get this.
Very Sincerely Jeff Forester. Please reply.
276-546-1538 southeastdriver@yahoo.com