For Patients
Who should consider neuromodulation?
Anyone who has taken at least 3 or 4 medications for depression, without full relief. Of the approximately 15 million patients who suffer from depression in the United States each year, around 3 - 5 million patients are 'treatment resistant,' meaning that after several trials of antidepressant therapy, they continue to experience depressive symptoms and significant functional impairment. Other psychiatric conditions are the subject of research, but no approved treatments exist for other conditions.
Are neuromodulation treatments approved?
ECT is the oldest, and most effective, treatment currently in use in psychiatry. It is approved by the Federal Drug Administration, which oversees the approval of all drugs and devices. Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) has been more recently approved by the FDA for resistant depression. Other treatments, such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) are not approved for psychiatric conditions, but you can receive these treatments, even though the FDA has not approved them.
How do I get treatment?
We request that your psychiatrist initiate a referral to the Depression Center.
Will my insurance company cover the treatment?
For ECT, most insurers cover some part of the treatment, but they often require approval before you get started. Many insurers will not cover VNS. In both cases, you should contact your insurer and ask about the benefit coverage in effect for your policy. Experimental treatments are almost never covered by insurance companies.
Are they any research studies I can enter in order to get treatment?
Yes. The Neuromodulation program conducts studies for DBS, TMS and ECT. Please see the Engage website for list opportunities to participate in research projects at the University of Michigan (not all projects may be active at this time). For a nationwide list of studies using neuromodulation, look those at clinicaltrials.gov
Where can I find out more about these treatments?
Neuronetics (Manufacturer of TMS devices)
Cyberonics (Manufacturer of VNS devices)
Information about depression
Depression as an illness
Depression
