If you have Bipolar Disorder, are over the age of 18, and have been suffering from an episode of depression that has lasted at least two years, you may be eligible to take part in the RECOVER Study*. You may also qualify if your Bipolar depression has recurred multiple times. 

*As a study participant, all study-related care will be provided at no cost to you.

One out of three people with bipolar depression have what is called ‘treatment resistant’ depression, or ‘difficult-to-treat’ depression. Even if several types of treatment haven’t worked for you – or have not worked well enough – there is still a chance that something else will.

The RECOVER Study is a research study that will provide new information about how helpful the VNS (Vagus Nerve Stimulation) Therapy® System is for bipolar patients with depressive episodes that have been difficult to treat. 

Even though VNS Therapy is FDA-approved and has been shown to help many people who have bipolar disorder, Medicare will only cover it through the RECOVER study and other insurers do not routinely cover it.

Who can take part in the study? You must:

Be 18 years or older, diagnosed bipolar and currently be depressed

Have tried at least four treatments and not found them helpful 

Have bipolar depression that has lasted for at least two years or recurred several times

VNS stands for ‘Vagus Nerve Stimulation’. VNS Therapy is an approved treatment for people with depression, and bipolar depression, who have not been helped enough by several other types of treatment, such as antidepressant medications (pills and tablets), antidepressant nasal sprays, psychotherapy (talk therapy), repetitive trans-magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

The way VNS Therapy works:

• A small device is placed just below your collarbone, by a trained surgeon during an outpatient procedure
• The device sends out mild pulses to a nerve in your neck called the vagus nerve
• These pulses travel up to your brain and can help to improve how you are feeling
• Many doctors believe that VNS Therapy is a good option for people with treatment resistant depression.¹

1. RECOVER Clinical Study Physician Participation

If you think you might like to join the RECOVER Study or would like more information, please answer our questionnaire so we can see if you qualify.

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