Depression, Depressionen

Figure_2

Figure 2 presents the mean HDRS₂₈ scores at each study visit for the whole group (n = 30) and for responders (n = 12) and nonresponders (n = 18; defined by the threshold of >50% reduction in the baseline HDRS₂₈ total). Separately, for responders (n = 12), early effects (i.e., during VNS dose adjustment) are suggested, but more than half of the total reduction from 39.1 (average at baseline) to 12.3 (average at exit) for responders occurred over 6 of the 8 weeks of fixed-dose VNS. No patient responded during the 2-week, postimplantation (no stimulation), single blind recovery period, using the HDRS₂₈ to define response (n = 12), with six of the 12 patients (50%) who ultimately responded doing so by week 5 following implantation.