Magnetic Seizure Electroconvulsive Therapy

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The brain is the organ of the body that is located in the head, which controls functions, movements, sensations, and thoughts ( ). To stimulate an object is to make something more active, such as causing something to happen or develop ( ). This means that brain stimulators are actions that involve the activity or touching of the brain directly with various kinds of therapeutic techniques. These therapeutic techniques range from using electricity, magnets, or even implants to treat depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, and other various illness such as Parkinson’s disease. The better known types of brain stimulation are electroconvulsive therapy, vagus nerve stimulation, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, magnetic seizure …show more content…

This therapy was first developed in 1938, which initially started out with a poor reputation but has improved since its earlier uses. ECT is only considered to be used when the patient’s illness has not improved after other treatments have been tested first. ECT is also only administered to a person who is under general anesthesia and has been given a muscle relaxant to prevent movement that could cause damage during the procedure. While that patient is under anesthesia and undergoes this type of therapy they do not feel any pain or discomfort during the procedure (NIMH, N/D). This typical procedure is administered about three times a week so it can to help relieve the depression that the patient is dealing with. Along with any medical treatment comes with side effects. Electroconvulsive therapies side effects range from a headache or muscle ache to the more extreme of possible memory …show more content…

This type of therapy uses a magnet to activate the brain instead of electrical stimulation. The repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment is targeted to a specific spot in the brain and only lasts 30 to 60 minutes without the use of anesthesia. The required tool for this treatment is an electromagnetic coil, through which short magnetic pulses are sent through. The magnetic field involved with this brain stimulation therapy is about the same strength as an MRI scan. Some side effects of this therapy treatments ranges from mild headaches to possible seizures. Unlike the repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, the next brain stimulation therapy is magnetic seizure therapy, which is where a magnetic pulse is used but is placed at a higher frequency in order induce a seizure. Because of a seizure being induce a patient must be anesthetized and given muscle relaxant. The goal of MST is to retain the effectiveness of ECT but also reducing the side effects that come along with it (NIMH,

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