Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.
Medical research can lead to better understanding of diseases, help find cures and even change lives. This week on Healthwatch, we'll look at some recent research breakthroughs.
Patients with persistent depression who haven't found relief with medication may get positive results from a new treatment, according to researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. Vagus nerve stimulation therapy uses electrical pulses to trigger the vagus nerve, which in turn sends pulses to the parts of the brain involved with moods, appetite, sleep, motivation and other depression-related symptoms.
Dr. John Rush, vice chairman for research in psychiatry at UT Southwestern, says the therapy has had a very positive response even with some of the most treatment-resistant patients.
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October 2005
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