Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a Treatment for Depression to be Launched in May

Final FDA approval of vagus nerve stimulation as a therapy for chronic or recurrent treatment-resistant depression to be issued in May. Psychiatrists will then officially be able to prescribe this remarkable, life changing therapy for patients.

On April 7th, 2005, the manufacturer of the vagus nerve stimulator( Cyberonics, Inc.) announced that it had been notified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA) that one the few remaining conditions of final FDA approval had been satisfied. Cyberonics also announced that it was very confident that the two remaining conditions will be expeditously satisfied and that final FDA approval will be issued in May.

Robert P. ("Skip") Cummins, Cyberonics' Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer commented: "This major step forward towards the accomplishment of Cyberonics' mission to improve the lives of people touched by refractory epilepsy and treatment-resistant depression (TRD) would not have been possible without the timely, diligent, interactive and cooperative efforts of the entire Dallas District Office staff led by Michael Chappell, District Director, and the Cyberonics regulatory team. Cyberonics and CDRH continue to make good progress towards our goal of satisfying the remaining conditions of final TRD approval."

The official launch of vagus nerve stimulation as a treatment for depression will take place at the American Psychiatric Association's Annual Meeting at the World Congress Center in Atlanta from May 21st to May 25th. The Annual Meeting will be attended by over 20,000 psychiatrists.

Major depressive disorder is one of the most prevalent and serious illnesses in the U.S., affecting nearly 19 million Americans every year. Depression is the second leading cause of disability for the general population and the leading cause of disability for American women. Approximately 20 percent of depressed Americans, or approximately four million people, experience chronic or recurrent treatment-resistant depression that has failed to respond to multiple antidepressant treatments. If approved, the VNS Therapy System will be the first implantable device-based treatment for depression and the first treatment developed, studied and labeled specifically for patients with treatment-resistant depression.

Vagus nerve stimulation will be the mainstream treatment for chronic or treatment-resistant depression. Over four million American suffer from chronic depression. The final FDA approval will be considered one of the major breakthroughs in medical device history.

You can learn more at http://www.VagusNerveStimulator.com. There is a free electronic newsletter to keep you up-to-date.

Charles Donovan was a patient in the FDA investigational trial of vagus nerve stimulation as a treatment for chronic or recurrent treatment-resistant depression. He was implanted with the vagus nerve stimulator in April of 2001. He chronicles his journey from the grips of depression thanks to vagus nerve stimulation therapy in his book:

Out of the Black Hole: The Patient's Guide to Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Depression

The book will be exhibited at the American Psychiatric Association's Annual Meeting in May.

He is editor the http://www.VagusNerveStimulator.com Web Site

Tropical depression hovers near Mexico
The Associated Press - 2 hours ago
MEXICO CITY (AP) — The National Hurricane Center says a tropical depression is hovering hovered close to Mexico and threatens to strengthen into a tropical ...
Tropical depression hovers near Mexico's southwest coast, parts of ... PR-Inside.com (Pressemitteilung)
Tropical depression hovers near Mexico | KXNet.com North Dakota News KXMC
Tropical depression forms off Mexico; gov't issues tropical storm ... PR-Inside.com (Pressemitteilung)
all 108 news articles

Vancouver Sun
Patricia Rozema did it for the girls
Toronto Star,  Canada - 3 hours ago
The joke on set was that girls who saw the movie would stop playing house; they'd play Depression. More serious for Rozema was the dilemma of how to make a ...
Video: Will Smith's 'Super' Role CBS
'Kit': Doll With Moxie Puts a Happy Face on the Depression Washington Post
Off with the leather pants, on with the sensible suit Globe and Mail
The Gazette (Montreal) - Edmonton Sunall 532 news articles

Boston Globe
How Prozac sent the science of depression in the wrong direction
Boston Globe, United States - 3 hours ago
But the success of Prozac hasn't simply transformed the treatment of depression: it has also transformed the science of depression. ...

Memories of war time, the Depression and pioneer churches
Abilene Reporter-News, TX - 7 hours ago
Depression era: Pierce Burns has written a memoir that focuses on the Great Depression and family life in and around Brownwood. ...

Diabetes and depression track each other
The Punch, Nigeria - 9 hours ago
By Agency reporter Depressed people may have an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes, and those with diabetes may be at increased risk for depression. ...

Untreated depression can kill
Malaysia Star, Malaysia - 12 hours ago
The increased suicide rate coincided with a 10% decrease in the rate of visits to doctors for the treatment of depression in children. ...

Tragic end to personal battle
Newsday, NY - 4 hours ago
She said her son began experiencing serious depression soon after his vehicle in Iraq was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade in 2003. ...
Veterans in distress Indianapolis Star
Fireworks can upset veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress ... MLive.com
all 12 news articles

Stigma of depression lingers in workplace
Canada.com, Canada - Jul 5, 2008
She'd also suffered from gallbladder issues, too, and knew it didn't compare with the pain of depression, a life-threatening battle she suffered silently. ...
Stigma of depression lingers in workplace Canada.com
all 2 news articles

We can learn from those who survived the depression
Idaho Press-Tribune, ID - 2 hours ago
Have you ever noticed that a lot of the people who survived the depression are financially well off? They believed in God and had a strength involving ...

Comparisons to Great Depression are 'hyperbole': Paulson
The Australian, Australia - Jul 3, 2008
US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson has dismissed comparisons by market analysts of today's economic woes with the Great Depression as "hyperbole". ...
Inflation, not credit crunch, is top concern worldwide: Paulson AFP
US Tsy Paulson: Global Econ Troubles Have 'Further To Go' CattleNetwork.com
Analysis: Paulson and the end of optimism United Press International
Forbesall 723 news articles

Wind Chimes and more...

Windchimes for great gifts!

To Long Term Care Professionals: How to Dramatically Improve your Residents Psychiatric Care