“Brain Pacemaker” Alleviates Depression?

Patients whose depression has been resistant to psychotherapy, medication, or shock treatment may finally find some relief with Deep-Brain Stimulation. The novel approach is thanks to Dr. Helen S. Mayberg, the same scientist who also discovered an area in the brain that is linked with severe depression, called Brodmann Area 25. Deep-Brain Stimulation works like a pacemaker for the brain by tuning the neural circuits involved in depression.

Patients have electrodes surgically implanted in their brain while they are awake, then later wear a battery pack that delivers carefully controlled impulses to specific brain segments, Mayberg said.

Sixty percent of the patients who participated in the trial got better, and continued to do well seven years after the treatment was done.

Read the full article to learn more about the study and to find out where you can hear Dr. Mayberg talk about this innovative approach to depression.

Do you think that a surgical approach to treating depression may one day reduce or eliminate the need for psychotherapy or medication? Share your thoughts with us!