Planted under the skin in the upper chest, this small device works by firing mild electrical pulses to the brain through the vagus nerve in the neck. The pulses are aimed at the area of the brain known to control emotion and the device regulates brain chemicals which stabilize and elevate moods.


 
Candidates for the study were those who’ve suffered severe depression and have failed in at least four other methods of controlling the disease, including both conventional anti-depressant drugs and traditional psychotherapy methods.

So far, since the device’s approval last July, 14 patients at UMC in Tucson – both men and women – have received the implant, known as a vagus nerve stimulator.  The results have been promising.

"This has been one of the most effective therapies I've ever tried, especially over the long term. It's awesome," said Ken Kintner, 49, who has struggled with major depression, including suicidal episodes, since he was very young.  "Depression can be pretty devastating. When I would fall into severe periods, it was very difficult to carry on any normal daily activities — it was like going into a deep black hole.

"Since I've had this, I still have those times when the mood goes down, but not as far and not as long. I just don't have the really deep, depressive episodes now,” he stressed.

Others have noted similar results, an important step in the road to control this disease, which affects nearly 19 million Americans nationwide.  About 4 million of those are thought to be afflicted with severe ongoing depression.  The therapy will soon be offered at about 70 U.S. medical centers and clinics in 26 states, according to the company that manufactures the device.