Deep brain stimulation treatment for depression 1/1

Severe depression has made many people in our civilized society feel helpless. It accounts for a high percentage of suicides, aggressive acts toward the innocent and fatalities. Hopefully that will change in the near future.

There has been a recent study done by German psychiatrists using brain stimulation to help people suffering from some clinical depressions. Though the study is inconclusive, all three patients who have tried the procedure have shown remarkable progress. The research team has warned that though the preliminary studies are valid, exaggerated expectations would be unwise, due to the small number of patients involved.

The procedure is to use electrodes that are implanted selectively in certain areas of the brain and an electric pulse generator activates, a deep brain stimulation. The procedure has been used successfully in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and is only now being investigated in some psychiatric diseases, such as compulsive behavioral disorders.

Although there is nothing conclusive, this could be a viable treatment in the future for those suffering from this crippling disease.