Scientists 'Cure' Depression With A Stimulating Brain Implant, Claims Study
Depression's cure may lie in sophisticated technology, a new study proposes. Humans experience depression for an array of reasons, including chemical imbalance, genetics, a traumatic event and even stress. This implant may mean the end of depressive episodes for many.
In a study published in Nature Medicine on October 4, scientists explain how they were able to lift patients out of severe depression using a device which was implanted into their brains.
Sarah, the fortunate one
The device was tested only on one subject, as outlined in the paper. A 36-year-old woman Sarah was suffering severe depression for five years and nothing worked until the implant was inserted into her brain. With one test subject, it's difficult to ascertain how well the results will be in a larger pool of trials, but Sarah is all praises for the treatment.
In a press conference, Sarah announced that her lens on the world "changed" after the invasive treatment.
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The study's author Katherine Scangos from the University of California said that they achieved this by identifying and working on the fundamental properties of the human brain.
Scangos was quoted by The Verge as saying that such findings may help scientists develop optimised treatments for each individual to treat severe and long-term depression.
How did scientists "cure" depression?
Using "deep brain stimulation", scientists implanted electrodes into the brain which delivered electrical impulses whenever the brain showed unusual activity leaning towards depression.
To lift the fog of depression, researchers targeted "faulty circuits" in the brain that perform specific functions that may contribute to severe depression. It's not that simple though. Depression varies from person to person and to offer similar treatment to more people, a personalised treatment pathway would need to be charted.
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Whenever Sarah's depression symptoms would begin to peak, scientists would record the peculiar activity causing it. Then, they implanted a device to detect that brain activity and to superimpose electrical stimulation over it, effectively reducing erratic behaviour in the brain.
In all, Sarah receives 30 minutes of stimulation each day to work with her depressive flares everyday. The first time researchers saw the treatment in action was when Sarah let out a laugh. She herself claims to feel more alert and energetic after the treatment began.
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If the treatment can be tweaked on a patient-to-patient basis, it could ease the lives of many who are suffering from chronic depression.
What do you make of this groundbreaking technology that could make human lives easier? Do share your thoughts in the comments below. For more mind-numbing content from the world of technology and science, don't forget to read Indiatimes.com regularly.
Citation
Scangos, K. W. (2021, October 4). Closed-loop neuromodulation in an individual. Nature Medicine.?
