vBloc therapy - directly manipulating the vagus nerve via an implantable device

[PopHistorian]

A search on vBloc got no hits, so here is some info I found. It sruck me as extreme and creepy, but thoughts are welcome. This is a new therapy to battle obesity. It is an implanted device intended to work like a drug typically does, by interfering with natural processes of the body (which is why drugs cause side effects). It is a machine that directly manipulates the vagus nerve to alter your "perceptions of hunger and fullness." There must be some big money behind this as I have seen the advertising ramping up. It was just approved by the FDA last year and is now being pushed by third-party weight-loss practitioners.

The vBloc device-maker's page has typically vague marketing language with many non-specific, conversive terms:
_http://www.enteromedics.com/usa/about_vbloc_therapy.asp

There is a significant need for an innovative treatment to address the growing worldwide obesity epidemic, which contributes significantly to growing health care costs.

I wonder if it will ever be considered an innovative treatment to stop eating food not meant for humans.

The vagus nerve regulates many activities in the human body, affecting digestion and activities of the stomach, intestine and pancreas, providing direct two-way communication between the brain and body. Vagus nerve function has been shown to play a role in enabling multiple gastrointestinal and metabolic mechanisms, including:
- Expansion of the stomach as food enters
- Stomach contractions that break food into smaller particles
- Release of gastric acid to continue food processing
- Emptying of the stomach contents into the small intestine
- Secretion of digestive pancreatic enzymes that enable absorption of calories
- Sensations of hunger, satisfaction and fullness

Indeed, a lot of responsibility. Imagine what could go wrong.

Early research of the vagus nerve and its effect on the digestive system focused on the effects of surgical vagotomy, or severing of the vagus nerve near the stomach, which was used historically as a treatment for peptic ulcers. These studies demonstrated that patients often experienced weight loss and reduced appetite following vagotomy. However, these effects were not sustainable because the body compensated for the anatomical disruption.

Learning from these studies, EnteroMedics designed vBloc® Therapy to intermittently block vagus nerve signaling using an implantable, pacemaker-like device. Intermittent blocking prevents the accommodation response to a permanent and complete block.

I did not know that surgeons ever severed the vagus intentionally.

Clinical results descibed here are described as having a "desirable safety profile."
_http://www.surgjournal.com/article/S0039-6060(08)00182-7/abstract?cc=y=

A typical marketing site of a third-party reseller:
_http://www.smsurgicalweightloss.com/surgical/vbloc-neurometabolic-therapy

 

[gottathink]

I wonder if this treatment would backfire by taking away the method some people use to deny their anxiety and stress, which is by eating. What are they going to turn to then? Alcohol, drugs or perhaps actually being confronted with reality until they turn to the next thing.

 

[nicklebleu]

That sounds like a crazy scheme. But then why dieting, when you can have surgery?

Ironic, that we go to great lengths to stimulate the vagus, while these guys go to great lengths to block it.