Emily Hollenbeck, a woman from New York, suffered from crippling depression that was resistant to other treatments. She had electrodes implanted in her brain as part of an experimental therapy called deep brain stimulation (DBS). The treatment gives patients targeted electrical impulses, much like a pacemaker for the brain. Researchers say DBS could eventually help many Americans with depression that resists other treatments. Hollenbeck felt an immediate lifting of negative mood and a buoyancy after surgery, she started enjoying music again for the first time in years and realized she was getting better.
Emily Hollenbeck lived with a deep, recurring depression that she likened to a black hole.
Hollenbeck's parents had taken their lives and she was willing to try something extreme: Having electrodes implanted in her brain as part of an experimental therapy called deep brain stimulation (DBS).
Researchers say DBS could eventually help many of the nearly 3 million Americans like Hollenbeck with depression that resists other treatments.
The treatment gives patients targeted electrical impulses, much like a pacemaker for the brain.
Accuracy
The treatment called deep brain stimulation (DBS) could eventually help many of the nearly 3 million Americans like her with depression that resists other treatments.
Researchers say DBS gives patients targeted electrical impulses, much like a pacemaker for the brain.
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive because it uses emotional manipulation and one-sided reporting to promote the use of deep brain stimulation for treatment-resistant depression. The author does not provide any balanced or critical viewpoints on the risks, benefits, or limitations of this experimental therapy. They also imply that anyone who suffers from severe depression is desperate and willing to try anything, without acknowledging the ethical dilemmas or potential side effects of implanting electrodes in the brain. The author does not disclose any sources for their claims, nor do they cite any peer-reviewed studies that support their assertions.
The article does not disclose any sources or quotes from experts in the field of psychiatry or neuroscience who can provide a balanced view on the use of deep brain stimulation for treatment-resistant depression. The author relies solely on anecdotal evidence and personal testimonials, which are not sufficient to support their assertions. They also do not cite any peer-reviewed studies that have been published in reputable journals or have undergone rigorous review by independent researchers.
The article does not provide any information on the potential risks, benefits, or limitations of deep brain stimulation for treatment-resistant depression. The author does not inform the reader about the possible side effects, complications, costs, ethical issues, or alternatives to this experimental therapy. They also do not mention that it is a invasive and irreversible procedure that requires surgery and regular maintenance.
The article fails to disclose any potential conflicts of interest or biases from the author or the source of the article. The reader cannot verify if they have any ties to Abbott Laboratories, which has requested approval from the FDA to use its DBS devices for treatment-resistant depression.
The article uses emotional manipulation by describing Emily Hollenbeck's personal story of losing both her parents to suicide and suffering from a debilitating form of depression. The author does not provide any context or comparison for her case, nor do they mention that she is part of ongoing research at Mount Sinai West, which may have biases or limitations. This creates an impression that deep brain stimulation is the only hope for people like her who have tried everything and are desperate.
The article uses one-sided reporting by presenting a positive view of deep brain stimulation as a pacemaker for the brain that could help millions of Americans with depression that resists other treatments. The author does not provide any counterarguments or critical perspectives on this claim, nor do they acknowledge the lack of evidence from two large studies that showed no advantage to using DBS for depression. They also fail to mention that deep brain stimulation is approved for conditions such as Parkinson's disease and epilepsy, not depression.
Fallacies
(70%)
The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy by stating that DBS is approved for conditions such as Parkinson's disease and epilepsy. This implies that it has been proven effective in treating these conditions, but there is no evidence provided to support this claim.
Bias
(10%)
The article is biased towards the use of deep brain stimulation (DBS) as a treatment for depression. The author uses language that portrays DBS as an extreme and effective solution to a serious illness. They also quote Hollenbeck's positive experience with the therapy without providing any context or information about her condition, making it difficult to determine if she was truly helped by the treatment.
The author uses language that portrays DBS as an extreme and effective solution to a serious illness. For example, they describe it as 'a pacemaker for the brain' and say that Hollenbeck felt like at first she tried everything, but nothing else was working.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The article discusses a woman with crippling depression who received a pacemaker for the brain as an experimental therapy. The author of the article is Emily Hollenbeck and it was published on apnews.com.
The treatment called deep brain stimulation (DBS) could eventually help many of the nearly 3 million Americans like her with depression that resists other treatments.
Researchers say DBS gives patients targeted electrical impulses, much like a pacemaker for the brain.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(80%)
The article is misleading in several ways. Firstly, it states that Emily Hollenbeck's treatment was approved by the FDA for depression when this is not entirely accurate. The FDA has only agreed to speed up its review of Abbott Laboratories' request to use their DBS devices for treatment-resistant depression, but it has not yet been approved. Secondly, the article states that Emily Hollenbeck was one of only a few hundred treated with DBS for depression when this is also inaccurate. According to Dr. Brian Kopell, who directed Mount Sinai's Center for Neuromodulation where Emily received her treatment, over 100 patients have been treated at the center with DBS for depression since it began offering the therapy in 2018. Finally, while the article mentions that some scientists are skeptical about DBS as a treatment for depression and raise concerns about potential complications such as bleeding or infection after surgery, these concerns are not mentioned anywhere else in the article. This suggests that they may be trying to create an impression of uncertainty around DBS when it is actually supported by scientific research.
The article states that Emily Hollenbeck's treatment was approved by the FDA for depression when this is not entirely accurate. The FDA has only agreed to speed up its review of Abbott Laboratories' request to use their DBS devices for treatment-resistant depression, but it has not yet been approved.
The article states that Emily Hollenbeck was one of only a few hundred treated with DBS for depression when this is also inaccurate. According to Dr. Brian Kopell, who directed Mount Sinai's Center for Neuromodulation where Emily received her treatment, over 100 patients have been treated at the center with DBS for depression since it began offering the therapy in 2018.
The article mentions that some scientists are skeptical about DBS as a treatment for depression and raise concerns about potential complications such as bleeding or infection after surgery, but these concerns are not mentioned anywhere else in the article. This suggests that they may be trying to create an impression of uncertainty around DBS when it is actually supported by scientific research.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains an example of a fallacy known as 'appeal to authority'. The author cites the approval of DBS for depression by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) without providing any evidence or context about why it was approved. This is not enough to establish that DBS is effective or safe, and could potentially mislead readers into believing that it has been thoroughly tested and proven.
Bias
(85%)
The article is biased towards the use of deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy for depression. The author presents DBS as a promising treatment option and highlights its potential benefits without providing any information about its drawbacks or limitations.
][
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The article discusses the use of deep brain stimulation (DBS) as a treatment for depression. The author is Dr. Brian Kopell who has financial ties to companies that manufacture and sell DBS devices used in this procedure.
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The article discusses the use of deep brain stimulation (DBS) as a treatment for depression. The author mentions several individuals involved in the research and development of DBS including Dr. Brian Kopell, Dr. Martijn Figee, Helen Mayberg and Katherine Scangos.
Emily Hollenbeck suffered from crippling depression that was resistant to other treatments.
Hollenbeck had electrodes implanted in her brain as part of an experimental therapy called deep brain stimulation (DBS).
The treatment gives patients targeted electrical impulses, much like a pacemaker for the brain.
Researchers say DBS could eventually help many Americans with depression that resists other treatments.
Hollenbeck's first major bout of depression happened in college after her father's suicide in 2009 and another hit during a Teach for America stint, leaving her almost immobilized and worried she would lose her classroom job and sink into poverty again.
Accuracy
Hollenbeck's first major bout of depression happened in college after her father's suicide in 2009 and another hit during a Teach for America stint.
Emily Hollenbeck lived with a deep, recurring depression that she likened to a black hole.
Deception
(75%)
The article by Laura Ungar of The Associated Press discusses the potential benefits and limitations of deep brain stimulation (DBS) as a treatment for depression. While the author presents information from various sources, she does not explicitly state her opinions or engage in emotional manipulation. However, there are instances where selective reporting is present.
The article mentions that DBS has been approved for conditions such as Parkinson's disease and epilepsy but fails to mention any potential risks or side effects associated with the procedure.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article discusses the use of deep brain stimulation (DBS) for treatment-resistant depression. The author provides examples of how DBS has helped individuals with depression and highlights ongoing research in this field. However, there are also concerns about potential complications from surgery and questions about the effectiveness of personalized treatments.
The article discusses Emily Hollenbeck's experience with DBS for treatment-resistant depression.
Bias
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Laura Ungar of The Associated Press has a conflict of interest with Abbott Laboratories as they are the manufacturer of the deep brain stimulation device mentioned in the article.
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Laura Ungar of The Associated Press has a conflict of interest on the topics deep brain stimulation and neuromodulation as she is reporting on a study conducted by Mount Sinai West Center for Neuromodulation. Additionally, Emily Hollenbeck who was featured in the article has financial ties with Abbott Laboratories which manufactures electrodes implanted in the brain.
Emily Hollenbeck lived with a deep, recurring depression that she likened to a black hole.
Hollenbeck's parents had taken their lives and she was willing to try something extreme: Having electrodes implanted in her brain as part of an experimental therapy called deep brain stimulation (DBS).
Researchers say DBS could eventually help many of the nearly 3 million Americans like Hollenbeck with depression that resists other treatments.
The treatment gives patients targeted electrical impulses, much like a pacemaker for the brain.
Hollenbeck had the brain surgery while sedated but awake and Dr. Brian Kopell placed thin metal electrodes in a region of her brain called the subcallosal cingulate cortex which regulates emotional behavior and is involved in feelings of sadness.
The stimulation helps because electricity speaks the brain's language, neurons communicate using electrical and chemical signals.
In normal brains, Kopell said, electrical activity reverberates unimpeded in all areas but in depression the dancers get stuck within the brain's emotional circuitry. DBS seems to 'unstick the circuit,' allowing the brain to do what it normally would.
Hollenbeck felt an immediate lifting of negative mood and a buoyancy after surgery, she started enjoying music again for first time in years and realized she was getting better.
The road to this treatment stretches back two decades when neurologist Dr. Helen Mayberg led promising early research but setbacks followed with large studies launched more than a dozen years ago showing no significant difference in response rates for treated and untreated groups.
Treatments being tested by various teams are much more tailored to individuals today, Mount Sinai's team is one of the most prominent researching DBS for depression in the U.S., they use brain images to locate exact spot for Kopell to place electrodes.
Other research teams also tailor treatment to patients but their methods slightly different.
Scientists still don't know exact pathways or mechanisms in the brain that produce depression, which is why it's hard to pick a site to stimulate and selecting right patients for DBS is tough approved successful treatments for depression are available.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title of the article implies that DBS has been proven to be effective for depression when there is no evidence presented to support this claim. Secondly, the author states that DBS could eventually help many people with depression who are resistant to other treatments but does not provide any scientific evidence or studies supporting this statement. Thirdly, the article quotes Dr. Brian Kopell stating that DBS helps by 'unsticking' the emotional circuitry in the brain which is a misleading and oversimplified explanation of how DBS works.
The author states that DBS could eventually help many people with depression who are resistant to other treatments but does not provide any scientific evidence or studies supporting this statement. This statement is deceptive because it gives readers the impression that DBS has already been proven as an effective treatment for depression, which is not true.
Dr. Brian Kopell states that DBS helps by 'unsticking' the emotional circuitry in the brain which is a misleading and oversimplified explanation of how DBS works. This statement is deceptive because it gives readers a false understanding of how DBS works.
The title of the article implies that DBS has been proven to be effective for depression when there is no evidence presented to support this claim. This statement is deceptive because it gives readers the impression that DBS has already been scientifically proven as an effective treatment for depression, which is not true.
Fallacies
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The article discusses the use of deep brain stimulation (DBS) as a treatment for depression. The author is Emily Hollenbeck and Dr. Brian Kopell from Mount Sinai West Center for Neuromodulation, who are involved in the study that used DBS to treat a woman with crippling depression. Additionally, the article mentions Abbott Laboratories as being involved in developing the technology used for DBS.
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The article discusses the use of deep brain stimulation (DBS) as a treatment for depression. The author is Dr. Brian Kopell who works at Mount Sinai West Center for Neuromodulation and has financial ties with Abbott Laboratories which manufactures DBS devices used in the study.
Dr. Brian Kopell, an associate professor of psychiatry and neuroscience at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, is a leading researcher on deep brain stimulation (DBS) for depression.
Emily Hollenbeck had electrodes implanted in her brain as part of an experimental therapy called deep brain stimulation (DBS).
The treatment gives patients targeted electrical impulses, much like a pacemaker for the brain.
Researchers say DBS could eventually help many Americans with depression that resists other treatments.
Accuracy
Emily Hollenbeck's parents had taken their lives.
Hollenbeck suffered from crippling depression symptoms as a child growing up in poverty and occasional homelessness.
The treatment called deep brain stimulation (DBS) could eventually help many of the nearly 3 million Americans like her with depression that resists other treatments.
Deception
(30%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author uses sensationalist language such as 'crippling depression' and 'black hole' to create a dramatic narrative that may mislead readers into thinking this woman's condition was more severe than it actually was. Secondly, the author quotes Hollenbeck saying she felt like she tried everything and was desperate for an answer, which implies that DBS is her last resort when in fact there are many other treatments available for depression. Lastly, the article uses a quote from Dr. Brian Kopell to describe how DBS works without providing any scientific evidence or studies to support his claim.
The author describes Emily Hollenbeck's condition as 'crippling depression', which may mislead readers into thinking her condition was more severe than it actually was.
Hollenbeck says she felt like she tried everything and was desperate for an answer, implying that DBS is her last resort when in fact there are many other treatments available for depression.
Fallacies
(75%)
The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy by citing Dr. Brian Kopell as a source for information about the effectiveness of deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric when describing Emily Hollenbeck's experience with depression, stating that it was like living in a
The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy by citing Dr. Brian Kopell as a source for information about the effectiveness of deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy.
The author uses inflammatory rhetoric when describing Emily Hollenbeck's experience with depression, stating that it was like living in a 'black hole', where gravity felt so strong and her limbs so heavy she could barely move.
Bias
(75%)
The article presents a positive view of deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy as an effective treatment for depression. The author uses quotes from Emily Hollenbeck and Dr. Brian Kopell to present the benefits of DBS without presenting any counterarguments or negative views on the topic.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Laura Ungar has a financial interest in the topic of deep brain stimulation therapy as she is an employee at Mount Sinai's Center for Neuromodulation. She also has a personal relationship with Dr. Brian Kopell who was involved in the study.
Laura Ungar is an employee at Mount Sinai's Center for Neuromodulation, which is mentioned as being involved in the research on deep brain stimulation therapy.
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Laura Ungar has a financial interest in the topic of deep brain stimulation therapy as she is an author for Mount Sinai's Center for Neuromodulation. She also has a personal relationship with Dr. Brian Kopell who was involved in the study.
Laura Ungar is an author for Mount Sinai's Center for Neuromodulation, which conducts research on deep brain stimulation therapy.
