Radical Prosthetic Implants

This is the start of an interesting online discussion by the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies with some interesting links.

Maybe now is the time for more large-scale discussion of such questions to begin. With medical technology progressing so rapidly, and—looming over the horizon—with nanomedicine, which could make all other implant therapies look like child’s play, we really need to get people thinking about the new world that shortly awaits us.

Contribute here.

With industry backing, University of Memphis researcher seeks to improve new brain therapy

This article reports on research of Dr. Charles Blaha sponsored by Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Inc.  An interesting statement on DBS from the article:

But it's not a miracle cure. Blaha, a professor of psychology, is aware of the drawbacks: Like any brain surgery, deep brain stimulation can cause injury, and complications are not uncommon. A millimeter's difference in the placement of the electrode within the brain can determine if it's effective. And scientists still don't understand exactly why it works.

read the article here.

Scientists fight seizures with jolts

An article on the NeuroPace RNS system for Epilepsy, read it here.

Cleveland doctors are on the leading edge of treating disorders with deep brain stimulation

An article on history and neurological applications of DBS. Read here.

 Lovely interactive graphic explaining DBS.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in major depressive episode during pregnancy

TITLE: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in major depressive episode during pregnancy.

AUTHORS: Monika Klirova, Tomas Novak, Miloslav Kopecek, Pavel Mohr, V Strunzova

AFFILIATION: Prague Psychiatric Centre, 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic. klirova@pcp.lf3.cuni.cz

REFERENCE: Neuro Endocrinol Lett 2008 Feb 29(1):69-70

Sir: For women diagnosed with Recurrent depressive disorder, pregnancy poses a major treatment challenge. Apart from antidepressants, the most commonly used biological therapeutical method is ECT (electroconvulsive therapy). We believe that similar efficacy can be achieved using rTMS as a safer option with substantially less side effects. So far, only a few
case-reports reporting the use of rTMS for treatment of pregnant patients with depression were published.

Preliminary Data of Cortical Stimulation to Treat Major Depressive Disorder

Results of a feasibility study of cortical stimulation for depression (PROSPECT), read the press release of the sponsor here.