Brain_devices - Articles - Page 2

Fisher Wallace and Alpha-Stim for Depression? Claims vs Evidence

July 1, 2015

Gregory L. Sahlem, MD and Jeffrey J. Borckardt, PhD

Gregory L. Sahlem, MD Clinical instructor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina Dr. Sahlem has disclosed that the has no relevant relationships or financial interests in any commercial company pertaining to this educational activity. Jeffrey J. Borckardt, PhD Associate Professor and Director of the Biobehavioral Medicine Division, Brain Stimulation Laboratory and Biobehavioral Medicine Division, Medical University of South Carolina Dr. Borckhardt has disclosed that he has no relevant relationships or financial interests in any commercial company pertaining to this educational activity.

Carly Simon swears by it. The daytime show “The Doctors” gave it a glowing review. Ads for it seem to be invading psychiatrists’ Google search results. We’re talking, of course, about the Fisher Wallace Stimulator and the similarly touted Alpha-Stim device. How do these devices work? Are they actually effective? And where do they fit into the rapidly expanding array of neuromodulators?

Which TMS Device Should You Buy?

July 1, 2015

Daniel Carlat, MD

Daniel Carlat, MD Editor-in-Chief, Publisher, The Carlat Report. Dr. Carlat has disclosed that he has no relevant relationships or financial interests in any commercial company pertaining to this educational activity.

So let’s say you’ve decided to take the TMS plunge. With three devices currently FDA cleared, you have some decisions to make. The following table brings together some information you might find useful focusing on the Neronetics and Brainsway devices.

Reflections on the Past and Future of TMS

July 1, 2015

Mark George, MD

Mark George, MD Distinguished University Professor, Layton McCurdy Endowed Chair, Director, Brain Stimulation Laboratory Dr. George discloses that he is an unpaid consultant to Brainsonix, Brainsway, Cerval/Neostim, Mecta, Neuronetics, NeoSync, Nervive, and Puretech Ventures. Dr. Carlat has reviewed this interview and found no evidence of bias in this educational activity.

Mark George, MD started working on transcranial magnetic stimulation in 1993. In this interview he discusses the history of TMS and the state of trials and treatment options for patients 20 years later.

The Practice of Interventional Psychiatry

July 1, 2015

Nolan Williams, MD

Nolan Williams, MD Instructor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University Dr. Williams has disclosed that he has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

Dr. Williams discusses the field of interventional psychiatry from a practical standpoint by outlining the philosophy, practice, and case studies where interventional strategies have been effective.

Do Devices Work for Depression?

October 1, 2012

James Recht, MD

James Recht, MD Clinical Instructor in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School Dr. Recht has disclosed that he has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

In this article, the focus will be restricted to the following non-invasive technologies: transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS; magnetic seizure therapy (MST); transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation (t-VNS); and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS).

Neuroimaging of Mood Disorders

October 1, 2012

Cary S. Gunther, PhD

Cary S. Gunther, PhD Neurologist and psychiatrist in private practice, Voluntary Faculty, New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical Center Dr. Gunther has disclosed that she has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

Most clinicians are familiar with the use of brain CT scans in an emergency situation. But what about other imaging modalities? How are they being employed to add to the understanding of mood disorders? And when might they be appropriate for general clinical use?

ECT Still Alive and Well

October 1, 2012

Sarah Hollingsworth Lisanby, MD

Sarah Hollingsworth Lisanby, MD Lawrence C. Katz Professor and Chair, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Professor, Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Duke University Dr. Lisanby has disclosed that she has received grant, research, and equipment support from several device manufacturers. Dr. Balt has reviewed this article and found no evidence of bias in this educational activity.

What is the current usage, popularity and techniques for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)? Dr. Lisanby brings us up to date on the changes in the field of ECT.

The Self-Injurious Patient

April 1, 2011

Caroline Fisher, PhD, MD

When presented with a self-injuring patient, the first thing I try to find out is what the function of the self injury is. Is it suicidal? Did the patient want to die or think he or she might die? Often the answer is “no.”

Neurofeedback as a Treatment for ADHD

January 1, 2011

Daniel Carlat, MD.

Neurofeedback, also known as “EEG biofeedback,” has been around for a long time, but its history is checkered.

Can an EEG Predict Antidepressant Response?

November 1, 2009

Section editor, Glen Spielmans, PhD

Clinical trials show which treatments work for “the average patient,” but we have little ability to predict which treatment will work best for any individual patient. QEEG (quantitative EEG) is a method in which a computer program reads EEG tracings and scores them along certain dimensions.