Working of brain is largely of transmitting and receiving electric signals carried by neurotransmitters. Specific signals by particular neurotransmitters indicate specific feelings. In regard with this scientists have developed an electric device known as TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation). TMS device is used to provide daily dose of electric signals to certain parts of brain. The device has been approved by FDA, on October 2009, to treat depression.
Even after FDA approval, some experts were doubtful for effectiveness of the device to treat depression. Concerns of skeptics were legitimate as there was no way to fake signals. In order to acquire approval of a drug from FDA, applicants are required to prove effects of drug with series of clinical trials conducted with original-drug and a placebo (placebo = a drug that has no effects). Until now, there was no device which could work similar to real TMS device but produce no effects.
Dr. Mark S. George, head of the study, developed a device which can give sound and sensation similar to real TMS but has no effects. Results and conclusions of the study were published on Archives of General Psychiatry in issue of month May.
Conducted study included 190 patients divided in two groups. Patients of first group were treated with real device and group second with fake device. Patients were subjected to real TMS device for 37.5 minutes and 37.5 minutes to dummy device. All 190 patients were given dose for 3 weeks, once a day.
The trial showed 26 patients recovered from depression while, on the other hand, 9 patients showed recovery signs from their depression with dummy device. Recovery signs of patients with real TMS were four times greater that that of dummy device.Side effects, such as discomfort; headache and eye twitching, were reportedly same in both the groups.
57 patients recovered from depression in second phase trial conducted on all patients treated with real device.
Dr George and his team are now studying effects of antidepressant effexor and effects produced by TMs device.
What causes Depression
Neurotransmitters, responsible for good mood, carry signals to brain. Lack of such transmitters cause lack of signals and lead to depression. Anti depression medication, such as effexor, works by preventing re-absorption of neurotransmitters that regulate good mood. Stopping re-absorption increases level of neurons and thus increases signals of good mood.
TMS device works by resetting electrical imbalance of signals and restores normal mood.
Depression Medication
Even after FDA approval, some experts were doubtful for effectiveness of the device to treat depression. Concerns of skeptics were legitimate as there was no way to fake signals. In order to acquire approval of a drug from FDA, applicants are required to prove effects of drug with series of clinical trials conducted with original-drug and a placebo (placebo = a drug that has no effects). Until now, there was no device which could work similar to real TMS device but produce no effects.
Dr. Mark S. George, head of the study, developed a device which can give sound and sensation similar to real TMS but has no effects. Results and conclusions of the study were published on Archives of General Psychiatry in issue of month May.
Conducted study included 190 patients divided in two groups. Patients of first group were treated with real device and group second with fake device. Patients were subjected to real TMS device for 37.5 minutes and 37.5 minutes to dummy device. All 190 patients were given dose for 3 weeks, once a day.
The trial showed 26 patients recovered from depression while, on the other hand, 9 patients showed recovery signs from their depression with dummy device. Recovery signs of patients with real TMS were four times greater that that of dummy device.Side effects, such as discomfort; headache and eye twitching, were reportedly same in both the groups.
57 patients recovered from depression in second phase trial conducted on all patients treated with real device.
Dr George and his team are now studying effects of antidepressant effexor and effects produced by TMs device.
What causes Depression
Neurotransmitters, responsible for good mood, carry signals to brain. Lack of such transmitters cause lack of signals and lead to depression. Anti depression medication, such as effexor, works by preventing re-absorption of neurotransmitters that regulate good mood. Stopping re-absorption increases level of neurons and thus increases signals of good mood.
TMS device works by resetting electrical imbalance of signals and restores normal mood.
Depression Medication
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