The Food and Drug Administration on July 14, 2005 gave its approval to Houston- based Cyberonics Inc's new implantable pacemaker for the treatment of depression. The device is implanted just under the skin in the chest and sends mild intermittent electrical impulses ( shocks ) to the left vagus nerve which in turn sends signals to the brain. It seems to be modeled on the philosophy and electrical reality that the subliminal anxiety caused by the shocks will serve as a stimulus/wake-up call to moods of depression.
Treating symptons rather than the cause of depression? What caused the depression ? Was it conditional or hereditary ? Would a semi-constant state of anxiety be a better condition than a depressive personality ? Both are less than healthy traits. At $20,000 each, one can see what Cyberonics is getting, but how will the patient do?
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