Vagal stimulation therapy for depression works after time lag

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

A new treatment for depression brings about lasting improvement, but may take months to kick in.
Vagal nerve stimulation involves the use of a device similar to a heart pacemaker. It has been shown to be effective in treating depression that has failed to respond to other approaches. Researchers at Saint Louis University now reveal new insights into the treatment. They carried out brain scans on a small group who were given the treatment and found significant changes in brain activity occurring after three months. These continued to evolve up to 21 months.

This time lag in response to treatment is longer than that seen with antidepressants or electroconvulsive therapy. However, the good news is that the improvements seem to be long-lasting. Seventy per cent of those who were better at one year stay better at two years. Doctors don't yet know how vagal nerve treatment works, but these findings suggest its effects may be similar to electroconvulsive therapy.

Source
American Psychiatrists Association meeting 25th May 2006

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