June 07, 2006
Electric blues stimulation:
The Economist has a short but interesting piece on the use of vagus nerve stimulation to treat depression.
The technique involves implanting a pacemaker-like device into the body that stimulates the vagus nerve (in the neck) at regular intervals.
The technology was originally developed as a treatment for epilepsy, but it was discovered that some patients felt better after the device had been implanted, even if it didn't help control their seizures.
I'm not quite sure of The Economist's claim that the treatment "builds on" deep-brain stimulation, which is newer and more advanced in many respects and directly stimulates areas of the brain with an implanted electrode.
Nevertheless, the article is an engaging look at the increasing interest in this technology, and notes that no-one is really sure how it works - either in treating epilepsy or depression.
Link to Economist article.
