brain_devices | CARLAT PUBLISHING

Transcranial Direct-Current Stimulation in Depression Reconsidered

November 12, 2020

Deepti Anbarasan, MD. Dr. Anbarasan has disclosed that he has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

The case builds for this DIY antidepressant device.

Getting Uncomfortable with Esketamine

January 13, 2020

Nolan Williams, MD

Nolan Williams, MD

Director of the Brain Stimulation Lab and Interventional Psychiatry Clinical Research Program; Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Stanford University, CA. Dr. Williams has disclosed that he has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

The FDA approval of esketamine (Spravalto) left some unanswered questions, including suicide, addiction, withdrawal, neurotoxicity, and bladder inflammation. Nolan Williams addresses those risks and looks at where esketamine fits among other options like TMS and ECT. Dr. Williams directs the Interventional Psychiatry Clinical Research Program and Brain Stimulation Lab at Stanford University.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for Depression in Children and Adolescents

June 11, 2019

With concerns about both safety and efficacy surrounding antidepressant use in children and adolescents, we are always looking for safe, effective treatments for our patients. Transcranial Stimulation (TMS) has been around for many years, and its use in youth is expanding. We examine the evidence of efficacy and potential side effects in youth and adolescent populations.

First Non-Drug Treatment Approved by FDA for Treating Children With ADHD

June 11, 2019

Talia Puzantian, PharmD, BCPP and Joshua Feder, MD

Talia Puzantian, PharmD, BCPP Joshua Feder, MD Drs. Puzantian and Feder have disclosed that they have no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

In the article we discuss the effectiveness and safety of the first non-drug treatment for ADHD in kids. The FDA has recently granted medical device approval for its external Monarch Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation (eTNS) System for treating kids with ADHD ages 7–12 who are not currently taking medications.

New Approvals for TMS

November 1, 2018

Talia Puzantian, PharmD, BCPP and Chris Aiken, MD

Talia Puzantian, PharmD, BCPP Chris Aiken, MD Drs. Puzantian and Aiken have disclosed that they have no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

We know that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) works for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), but one disadvantage is the length of the treatment sessions.

Does Vagus Nerve Stimulation Work for Treatment-Resistant Depression?

February 1, 2018

Adam Strassberg, MD

Adam Strassberg, MD Dr. Strassberg has disclosed that he has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is typically defined as a major depression that fails to remit after at least 2 trials of 2 different classes of antidepressants. Other than electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), there remain few evidence-based biological treatment options for TRD.

Transcranial Direct-Current Stimulation: Not Ready for Prime Time Yet

December 1, 2017

Michael Posternak, MD.

Michael Posternak, MD. Dr. Posternak has disclosed that he has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was approved by the FDA in 2009 for the treatment of major depression, but TMS is costly and has so far produced only mixed results.

Benefits of Alpha-Stim

November 1, 2016

Lila Massoumi, MD

Lila Massoumi, MD Chairperson, Caucus on Complementary, Alternative, and Integrative Medicine, American Psychiatric Association Dr. Massoumi has disclosed that she has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

Dr. Massoumi is one of the most nationally prominent psychiatrists teaching about complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments. In this Expert Q&A she discussses cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES), with a focus on Alpha-Stim.

Ongoing ECT Does Not Equal Ongoing Cognitive Problems

May 1, 2016

Bret A. Moore, PsyD, ABPP Board-Certified Clinical Psychologist, San Antonio, TX Dr. Moore has disclosed that he has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is well known to cause short-term amnesia and disorientation around the time of treatment. However, for most of our patients, these cognitive side effects improve and disappear fairly quickly, usually within a few days. We have less information about how long-term ECT may affect our patients, such as those who have had multiple courses over the years, or those who have undergone maintenance monthly treatments. A recent study provides us with some reassuring data.

Neurostimulation Devices for Depression: An Overview

July 1, 2015

James Recht, MD

James Recht, MD Psychiatrist based in Cambridge, MA Dr. Recht has disclosed that he had no relevant relationships or financial interests in any commercial company pertaining to this educational activity.

When we last reviewed neurostimulation devices 3 years ago, we concluded that there was some promise—but more sizzle than beef. Now there are more devices and more data. But is there more beef? Maybe.