In Russia, methods of treating depression using deep brain stimulation are not used because of their danger, said Simutkin, psychiatrist, a leading researcher in the emotional states department of the Mental Health Research Institute of the Tomsk National Medical Research Center, German Simutkin, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Gazeta. He explained to Ru.
We are talking about operations to implant thin microelectrodes in parts of the brain that are related to the regulation of emotional life. Such interventions are used to treat depression in some countries, but not in Russia.
“There are different reasons for this. On the one hand, there can be big changes for the better, but these invasive surgeries can also bring serious problems. For example, a brain vessel may be damaged during the operation, bleeding may begin, which can adversely affect the surrounding brain tissues. Due to micro-damage in important areas of the brain an epileptic seizure can occur, and then these damaged brain structures can start to form epileptic seizures,” explained Simutkin.
The psychiatrist emphasizes that such operations are performed only in 10-12% of cases in which various methods of treating depression have failed and all possible risks have been comprehensively evaluated.
“In Russia, other methods are used to help improve the condition of resistant depression. For example, stimulation of the vagus nerve (vagus stimulation) is one of the main nerves of the parasympathetic system, when a special electrical impulse generator is implanted in the subcutaneous tissue of the chest, where the thinnest electrodes are attached to the left vagus. Specialist. “The nervous system, which is interconnected with different parts of the brain responsible for emotional regulation,” he said.
What is the difference between different types of depression, why they cannot be treated equally, what new treatment methods are available in our country and in the world, how can you distinguish simple sadness from a psychiatric disorder on your own, and when should you definitely go to the doctor? doctor – in report “socialbites.ca”.