(dailyRx News) Depression is often self-isolating, thus making it harder to reach out for help. Successfully treating depression might be even harder if conventional methods don’t work.
Luckily, scientists are looking at different ways to treat bipolar and major depression.
While thoughts of early psychology might evoke outdated images of electroshock therapy, wires and electrodes, it turns out that electromagnetic pulsation just might help cure your blues.
While this treatment seems to be effective, it still might be a little too invasive for some.
Scientists, sponsored by Emory University, conducted a study in which 323 people, ages 18-70 who suffered from a moderate-to-sever depressive episode after receiving four treatments of antidepressants, were screened for treatment-resistant depression.
Of these participants, 38 were implanted with a brain stimulator in their subcallosal cingulate, which is the part of the brain’s limbic system that regulates emotional information.
After the stimulator was implanted in their white matter, the participants received deep brain stimulation via electromagnetic stimulation. What the study found was that depression was significantly decreased and function was improved after treatment.
Of the people who achieved depressive remission, none of them experienced a depressive relapse for up to two years after the study.
The study was funded by Emory University through clinicaltrials.gov and was published by the Archives of General Psychiatry on February 2, 2012. No funding conflicts were presented.
