It's worth noting the trial was funded by LivaNova, the company that manufactures the VNS device, which has a financial interest in the trial's outcome.

...

The US FDA approved VNS for treatment-resistant depression in 2005, though exactly how it works on depression isn't fully understood.

They make a device with no idea of what it does, then fund a study to see if they can call it a miracle.

[–] Natanael@slrpnk.net 28 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Honestly, look into pain killer studies. We still don't know how many of them work even though we know that they do work. The brain and nervous system is weird.

[–] Bohne93@feddit.org 12 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Anesthesia, we have no idea how, just that it works

[–] MalReynolds@slrpnk.net 6 points 1 week ago (1 children)

At the end of the day, enough empirical data over a long enough time frame will have to do, especially if there are no alternatives. Sure do like me a good mechanism though, especially for new things, gives a clue as to long term side effects.

[–] ChunkMcHorkle@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

I heard that in Fillion's voice, lol. Shiny.

[–] Natanael@slrpnk.net 3 points 1 week ago

Genuinely, we're better at preventing memory formation and experience of pain than actual sedation. Patients can be cognitively present, and the reason they're not traumatized from a experiencing a surgery is that we're preventing the experience from leaving a mark on the brain

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40626585/

[–] exasperation@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Honestly, look into pain killer studies. We still don't know how many of them work even though we know that they do work.

Tylenol (acetaminophen/paracetamol) is one of the most used painkillers and we still don't know the mechanism of action.

[–] Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 1 points 1 week ago

but it tends to be weaker than the nonselective cox inhibitors, otc nsaids.

[–] antbricks@lemmy.today 2 points 1 week ago

You're describing most discovered medicines. But you probably meant "...with no idea why it works..." Since they already saw the outcomes often enough that they want to productize it.