Deep-brain stimulation is a new technique

Question

Deep-brain stimulation is a new technique for combating severe depression. In a recent experiment, electrodes were implanted into the brains of six patients who had not responded to any currently approved treatment for depression. When an electrical current to the electrodes was switched on, four of the patients reported feeling a dramatic reduction in depressive symptoms. The long-term prospects of the new treatment are not promising, however, because_________________.

(A) other treatments for depression may also be effective

(B) the other two patients reported only a slight reduction of depressive symptoms during the treatment

(C) deep-brain stimulation relies on the expertise of highly skilled physicians

(D) when the electrical current is interrupted, the effects of the treatment are reversed

(E) in a subsequent experiment, a one-hour treatment with the electrodes resulted in a sustained remission from depression in the four patients for six months

Patronus · Answer

Electrodes reduces depression. But it is not good for long term.
How can this be possible?
1) May be the effect is only short-term. 
2) OR (worse) effect is reversed

Points to Choice D straight away

Mansi21 · Answer

Ans is d
explanation- If there is reverse action than definitely its not going to be effective.

sidhant10 · Answer

D it is!

Had to be an option which negated the positive effect discussed in the passage above.

chesstitans · Answer

E is a common trap in gmat, test takers should know that the passage gives nothing about the subsequent experiment.
B is not enough.

There is a similar question, but the pattern is different.

Skywalker18 · Answer

Deep-brain stimulation is a new technique for combating severe depression. In a recent experiment, electrodes were implanted into the brains of six patients who had not responded to any currently approved treatment for depression. When an electrical current to the electrodes was switched on, four of the patients reported feeling a dramatic reduction in depressive symptoms. The long-term prospects of the new treatment are not promising, however, because_________________.

(A) other treatments for depression may also be effective - Incorrect - this does not explain as to WHY Deep-brain stimulation is not promising on the long-term

(B) the other two patients reported only a slight reduction of depressive symptoms during the treatment - Incorrect - So Deep-brain stimulation has a good success ratio but it does not answer what happens afterward

(C) deep-brain stimulation relies on the expertise of highly skilled physicians - Incorrect

(D) when the electrical current is interrupted, the effects of the treatment are reversed - Correct - so the effects are temporary

(E) in a subsequent experiment, a one-hour treatment with the electrodes resulted in a sustained remission from depression in the four patients for six months - Incorrect - so this is the opposite of what we want

Answer D

The logic is similar to official questions in the below link -

https://gmatclub.com/forum/according-to ... 76592.html

kanakdaga · Answer

D - if the effects are reversed, there cannot be sustained positive effect.

sony1000 · Answer

To correctly hit the answer we must know terminology like "sustained remission". So reading journals of all types could be quite beneficial.

DivyanshuGupta61 · Answer

Deep-brain stimulation is a new technique for combating severe depression. In a recent experiment, electrodes were implanted into the brains of six patients who had not responded to any currently approved treatment for depression. When an electrical current to the electrodes was switched on, four of the patients reported feeling a dramatic reduction in depressive symptoms. The long-term prospects of the new treatment are not promising, however, because_________________.

(A) other treatments for depression may also be effective

(B) the other two patients reported only a slight reduction of depressive symptoms during the treatment

(C) deep-brain stimulation relies on the expertise of highly skilled physicians

(D) when the electrical current is interrupted, the effects of the treatment are reversed

(E) in a subsequent experiment, a one-hour treatment with the electrodes resulted in a sustained remission from depression in the four patients for six months.

Doesn't the ' however ' in the sentence mean a ' contrast ', as in Although the long term prospects for the treatment aren't good, but one can still continue with the treatment because ....

Thus, we can go for option E as it presents the explanation for the contrast.

Please let me know whether my understanding is correct.

VerbalBot · Answer

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Deep-brain stimulation is a new technique

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Deep-brain stimulation is a new technique

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615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

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