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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Iansf on January 11, 2010, at 12:55:10
Posted by Phillipa on January 11, 2010, at 13:35:58
In reply to first operation on habenula to treat depression, posted by Iansf on January 11, 2010, at 12:55:10
That sounds encouraging no idea what and where this structure in the brain is? Hope it continues to work. Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on January 11, 2010, at 14:17:08
In reply to Re: first operation on habenula to treat depression » Iansf, posted by Phillipa on January 11, 2010, at 13:35:58
I found some more info on this stucture. Phillipa
Posted by Meltingpot on January 11, 2010, at 14:17:38
In reply to first operation on habenula to treat depression, posted by Iansf on January 11, 2010, at 12:55:10
They are also doing trials on DBS targetting the anterior cingulate and the Nucleus Accumbens. So if you were to go for this sort of invasive surgery which trial would you want to get on? I mean it's pot luck really isn't it?
Also, with these patients who are having the surgery in the different trials it says they have all been depressed for years. If this is the case then this brings me back to the same question I asked above. I thought the only type of depression that was chronic was dysthymia. I know a person can have more than one major depressive episode during their life time but don't they remit at some point anyway?
Denise
Posted by Phillipa on January 11, 2010, at 14:18:37
In reply to Re: first operation on habenula to treat depression, posted by Phillipa on January 11, 2010, at 14:17:08
Since I googled this looks like you have to sign in sorry. Phillipa
Posted by SLS on January 11, 2010, at 16:03:29
In reply to Re: first operation on habenula to treat depression, posted by Meltingpot on January 11, 2010, at 14:17:38
> I thought the only type of depression that was chronic was dysthymia.
> I know a person can have more than one major depressive episode during their life time but don't they remit at some point anyway?
I don't think that the various subtypes of depressive illness follow such mutually exclusive courses. Chronicity is not a reliable diagnostic index.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on January 11, 2010, at 16:08:51
In reply to first operation on habenula to treat depression, posted by Iansf on January 11, 2010, at 12:55:10
I wish they could just ablate some of the tissue in these areas to achieve the same effect.
- Scott
Posted by linkadge on January 11, 2010, at 17:27:51
In reply to Re: first operation on habenula to treat depression, posted by SLS on January 11, 2010, at 16:08:51
>I wish they could just ablate some of the tissue >in these areas to achieve the same effect
I guess they don't know whether it is hyperactive because of excessive neuronal connectivity or deficient neuronal connectivity.
Linkadge
Posted by mtdewcmu on January 11, 2010, at 23:42:31
In reply to Re: first operation on habenula to treat depression, posted by Meltingpot on January 11, 2010, at 14:17:38
> They are also doing trials on DBS targetting the anterior cingulate and the Nucleus Accumbens. So if you were to go for this sort of invasive surgery which trial would you want to get on? I mean it's pot luck really isn't it?
>I would go for having my nucleus accumbens stimulated. That is the reputed "pleasure center" of the brain.
> Also, with these patients who are having the surgery in the different trials it says they have all been depressed for years. If this is the case then this brings me back to the same question I asked above. I thought the only type of depression that was chronic was dysthymia. I know a person can have more than one major depressive episode during their life time but don't they remit at some point anyway?
>
>
> DeniseI was under the impression that there was a such thing as chronic major depression. Major depression is supposed to be recurrent and get worse over time without treatment, so maybe after a while the episodes just blend into one another. I am convinced that without treatment, I would be majorly depressed most of the time.
Posted by Meltingpot on January 12, 2010, at 15:37:59
In reply to Re: first operation on habenula to treat depression, posted by mtdewcmu on January 11, 2010, at 23:42:31
Hi,
Yes I did some additional reading after posting this and see that there is such a thing as chronic major depression. I'm just disappointed because I would consider having something like DBS if I thought it would give me more joy in life and see that the inclusion criteria is Major depressive disorder and that you have to be having at least your 4th episode of it. As far as I know I've never had a major depressive episode with a beginning and end So I would never be eligible.
I would also go for the nucleus Accumbens as I see results published in Germany which say they performed the operation on 10 patients. Five patients responded and all ten patients had a decrease in anxiety. But then what if that didn't work would you try and get on a trial that targetted another area? Surely there is a limit to how many holes they drill in your skull or I wonder if they can use the same entry points.
How many episodes of major depression have you had?
Denise
Posted by mtdewcmu on January 12, 2010, at 15:49:40
In reply to Re: first operation on habenula - mtdewcmu, posted by Meltingpot on January 12, 2010, at 15:37:59
>
> How many episodes of major depression have you had?
>
>
> DeniseIt's difficult to count them. It's easiest to count the periods that I've been less depressed since grade school. That would be 3-4.
Posted by Phillipa on January 12, 2010, at 20:09:10
In reply to Re: first operation on habenula - mtdewcmu, posted by mtdewcmu on January 12, 2010, at 15:49:40
Sounds like major depression is something that starts in childhood. So if you were depressed as a child how did it affect you? Did you still play, go to school, have fun, sports? Phillipa
Posted by mtdewcmu on January 14, 2010, at 10:54:34
In reply to Re: first operation on habenula - mtdewcmu, posted by Phillipa on January 12, 2010, at 20:09:10
> Sounds like major depression is something that starts in childhood. So if you were depressed as a child how did it affect you? Did you still play, go to school, have fun, sports? Phillipa
Depression has many different courses. My depression has a strong component of life experience, and is not just biological. I did the typical childhood things to some extent, but I was fairly timid and had difficulty concentrating. I don't remember my childhood as being particularly happy.
Posted by Meltingpot on January 14, 2010, at 14:42:37
In reply to Re: first operation on habenula - mtdewcmu, posted by mtdewcmu on January 12, 2010, at 15:49:40
So the periods between your major depressive episodes you never felt particularly good either?
Denise
Posted by mtdewcmu on January 15, 2010, at 23:26:26
In reply to Re: first operation on habenula - mtdewcmu, posted by Meltingpot on January 14, 2010, at 14:42:37
> So the periods between your major depressive episodes you never felt particularly good either?
>
> DeniseThere have been some periods where I felt pretty good. For instance, I had one good year in high school and one good year in college.
Posted by Meltingpot on January 16, 2010, at 13:57:46
In reply to Re: first operation on habenula - mtdewcmu, posted by mtdewcmu on January 15, 2010, at 23:26:26
Is that all you've had? How old are you now? Doesn't medication help you very much anymore?
Denise
Posted by mtdewcmu on January 17, 2010, at 16:06:13
In reply to Re: first operation on habenula - mtdewcmu, posted by Meltingpot on January 16, 2010, at 13:57:46
> Is that all you've had? How old are you now? Doesn't medication help you very much anymore?
>
> DeniseThat was prior to taking meds. Since then I had a remission on Celexa for a few years, and things are looking pretty good so far on Paxil, Remeron and Wellbutrin.
Posted by meltingpot on January 20, 2010, at 9:47:30
In reply to Re: first operation on habenula - mtdewcmu, posted by mtdewcmu on January 17, 2010, at 16:06:13
Hi,
What do you class as pretty good? I'm able to function and work etc but I still don't feel as though I'm looking forward to things or really enjoying things.
I can't imagine connecting with other people very well. I still have friends but all (but one) are people I was close to before my depression and anxiety came back.
Denise
Posted by mtdewcmu on January 22, 2010, at 21:54:49
In reply to Re: first operation on habenula - mtdewcmu, posted by meltingpot on January 20, 2010, at 9:47:30
> Hi,
>
> What do you class as pretty good? I'm able to function and work etc but I still don't feel as though I'm looking forward to things or really enjoying things.
>
> I can't imagine connecting with other people very well. I still have friends but all (but one) are people I was close to before my depression and anxiety came back.
>
> DeniseDuring my good periods I was a conscientious student and I generally liked life. I was also more inclined to make friends. Unfortunately, these good periods only lasted about a year each, prior to meds. After starting celexa, I had a fairly good period that lasted a year or two, followed by a long, slow, slide.
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