Neurostimulation procedure
We offer electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) as part of inpatient treatment. It can be used for depression and certain forms of schizophrenia if other (usually drug) treatments do not lead to the desired therapeutic success. ECT is a very effective and well-tolerated treatment method and is recommended by the current treatment guidelines for various indications. It is carried out in collaboration with anaesthetists. The convulsion is induced during a short anaesthetic with deep muscle relaxation, but without intubation. A treatment cycle usually consists of 12 ECT sessions (two or three times a week) over a period of 4 - 5 weeks. The indication for ECT is given exclusively by a psychiatrist. It is also possible to consult our outpatient clinic for general clarification of this treatment option. ECT is carried out in our clinic according to the highest standards. We are a member of the "Clinically applied stimulation procedures in psychiatry" section of the German Society for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Neurology (DGPPN).
In the neurostimulation section, we offer repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation ([rTMS]. A coil is held to the head and a sequence of stimulation pulses excites the area of the brain under the coil. This can cause areas of the brain to function normally again. During the stimulation procedure, the patients are awake and the stimulation does not impair consciousness. We are currently investigating the effectiveness of rTMS in the treatment of depression: see TBS-D clinical trial
We are a member of the "Experimental Stimulation Methods in Psychiatry" section of the DGPPN. As founding members of the German Society for Brain Stimulation in Psychiatry (DGHP), we hold the society's NIBS certificate (Non-invasive brain stimulation).
In co-operation with the Clinic for Neurosurgery (Ulm and Günzburg), the method of invasive vagus nerve stimulation (VNS, cyberonics) is used according to strict indications. During an operation, the neurosurgeons implant a stimulator under the skin that stimulates the left vagus nerve next to the vessels in the neck. We look after the patients afterwards and adjust the stimulation parameters if necessary.
