Could this replace CBT ? Neuromodulation

[slysaint]

Watched Trust Me I'm a doctor last night on the beeb. Interesting feature on use of neuromodulation therapy for PTSD. Just looked it up and it's not new new ............
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/art...-brain-help-to-alleviate-the-symptoms-of-ptsd
http://psychnews.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.pn.2016.PP3b3

"It’s not only PTSD patients who can benefit from neuromodulation treatments. Already this approach is beginning to be used to treat chronic pain, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression and even tinnitus - ringing in the ears."

 

[Barry53]

and uses electromagnetic pulses to create small currents in parts of the brain

Is this a modern variant of ECT?

 

[Mohawk1995]

I don't think this is anywhere near as threatening to the brain as inducing a seizure in the case of ECT. If indeed the Nervous System is upregulated, then upregulating more with ECT would not be positive I would think.

NeuroModulation (neither upregulated or downregulated but balanced) treatment in general is not new. In fact if you Google it you will see a lot of implants and stimulators. But there are less invasive forms like TMS and TNS that could show some promise in reducing Neuro-inflamatory issues and Neuro-immune upregulation. Another device going forward for FDA approval is the PoNS Device: http://heliusmedical.com/

The good news it is also non-invasive and might be able to be adapted for use with ME. Bad news is it will probably be expensive and not approved by insurance at least at first.

 

[alex3619]

What is important in this kind of research is to have good control groups in randomized trials, and to have objective outcome measures. I don't care what some questionnaire result is if used as a primary measure. One of the studies measured used multiple subjective inventories. That has become a red flag for me. Its good for a pilot study, that is a preliminary outcome, its not reliable as primary outcome measures in the large randomized trials that will be necessary. It does speak a little to quality of life, but not substantive improvement.

 

[slysaint]

Funny, I was watching an episode of the Expanse last night and a number of people had essentially been partially lobotomised by placing a device with magnets over the relevant part of the brain that controls emotion/empathy.......science fiction?