PS101 Chapter Notes - Chapter 16: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Vagus Nerve, Electroconvulsive Therapy
Document Summary
Used primarily for people who have severe depression. After an average of 7-9 ect spaced 2-3 days apart, many patients feel considerably less depressed. Ect helps approximately 70% of depressed patients improve. Not as common today as in the past. Typically only used in treating severe depression that has not responded to other treatments. Most memories return, but people who have gone through ect report ongoing memory difficulties. Mechanism by which it alters mood is not well not understood. Some argue that the seizure reestablishes biochemical and hormonal homeostasis in the brain systems that control mood. Vagus nerve is longest nerve in human body. Runs from brain stem through neck, down chest, and on to abdomen. Approved procedure for treating cases of otherwise intractable epilepsy. Later approved as a long-term treatment for severe treatment-resistant depression. Provides significant symptomatic relief in as many as 65% of cases.
