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Un treatable depression - follow-up request for a pacemaker yielded improvement

Brain pacemaker offers hope in case of unyielding depression, helping one woman find relief.

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2 min read
Monika Kelle's depression remains unrelieved. Current relief comes from a robust brain electrode,...
Monika Kelle's depression remains unrelieved. Current relief comes from a robust brain electrode, administered through minor electric shocks. deep brain stimulation may ultimately transform the field of psychiatry.

Grabbing Life by the Horns: My Journey from Depression's Grip to Hope - A Brain Pacemaker's Aid

  • by Jannik Jürgens
      • 13 Min

Brain pacemaker offered hope for a woman battling persistent depression - Un treatable depression - follow-up request for a pacemaker yielded improvement

When Monika Kelle finds herself standing on the precipice of her final, desperate attempt in her lifelong battle against depression, she feels a surge of fear. Kelle lies on the operating table of the University Hospital Freiburg, neurosurgeons have secured a metal frame onto her skull, and now someone forces a mask onto the then 54-year-old's face. The sedation gas is meant to guide her into a semi-conscious state. But anxiety gnaws at Kelle.

  1. DBS for Depression: DBS has demonstrated potential in addressing severe depression that defies traditional treatments. The process involves fitting electrodes into select brain regions, delivering electrical pulses to help manage symptoms. The response rate for DBS in depression is less reliable compared to conditions like OCD, where around two-thirds of patients report significant improvement [2]. For depression, success can vary dramatically among individuals.
  2. General Effectiveness of DBS: In a broader perspective, DBS has shown to be beneficial in managing symptoms for conditions like Parkinson's disease and OCD. For Parkinson's, it improves quality of life by reducing tremors and rigidity [1]. For OCD, a substantial portion of patients experience noticeable symptom improvement from severe to moderate or mild levels [2].
  3. Recent Advances: The field of DBS continues to progress, with innovations such as adaptive DBS coming to the forefront. This technology adjusts stimulation based on brain activity, offering a potential avenue for more personalized treatment options [4].

In essence, while a brain pacemaker may offer some relief for severe depression, the effectiveness can fluctuate significantly among individuals. On-going research is crucial to completely understand its potential role in treating depression.

The following are the main subjects covered by the programme: science, as the discussion revolves around the Brain Pacemaker (Deep Brain Stimulation or DBS) and its application in addressing depression; health-and-wellness, particularly mental health, since DBS serves as a potential treatment for mental health conditions like depression. The programme also delves into the improvement of quality of life and the innovative advancements in the field of DBS technology, such as adaptive DBS.

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