Living pulse. Part 2, Brain stimulation.

This short programme describes a solution for depression for those for whom no other methods work: a vagus nerve stimulator implant. This implant is sited in the chest and works by increasing the bloodflow to the brain. It is being tried out at the Bonn Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy. Frau Schlegel is one of the first patients to have this implant. The programme includes film clips of electric shock treatment in the days before muscle relaxants were available - resulting in sending the patient into convulsions - and of present day ECT. If the implant is successful it may provide an alternative to ECT.