MEL 8626: Neurostimulation in Psychiatry

Drs. Francisco Fernandez, Jamie W. Fernandez, and Gabriel De Erausquin

This elective is designed to introduce senior students to the use of various forms of neural stimulation in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Under the supervision of clinical faculty, students will have the opportunity to practice in a university neural stimulation clinic. Students will participate in the initial evaluation of patients for neural stimulation. Students will also take part in the neural stimulation treatment of suitable patients. This elective will provide students with a better understanding of the current use of neural stimulation for the treatment of psychiatric disorders.

Objectives

1. Familiarize the student with the multiple available methods for neural stimulation
2. Identify the psychiatric disorders which are indications for treatment by neural stimulation
3. Compare neural stimulation to the pharmacologic treatment of psychiatric disorders
4. Compare the treatment response of neural stimulation to other current treatment methods
5. Evaluate new patients for suitability for deep brain stimulation, transcranial magnetic stimulation, vagal nerve stimulation and electroconvulsive therapy
6. Participate in the treatment of patients with electroconvulsive therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation and deep brain stimulation

Learning Outcomes

The trainee will see patients at the South Tampa Center Neurotherapies Clinic, Tampa General Hospital, and other related settings. Trainees will be provided with a training packet prior to the start of the elective pertaining to neurostimulation. Upon completion of these elective, trainees should understand the principles of neurostimulation, selection of appropriate patients and the implementation of neurostimulation treatment plan.

Evaluation

The trainee will work closely with the Neurostimulation Attending who will provide the assessment.