Brain stimulation can relieve depression

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – According to a study, brain stimulation can provide relief and relief of depressive symptoms in patients with chronic depression.

The findings suggest that this type of treatment should be considered as an alternative or complementary treatment for the most serious mood disorders.

In the latest study published in BMJ, researchers analyzed the results of 113 clinical trials involving more than 6,700 patients, aged 48 years on average, with severe depression or bipolar depression who received either brain stimulation or placebo.

Treatments included electrotherapy, cross magnetic stimulation of the skull, SMT, magnetic resonance therapy and direct current stimulation in the skull. Psychology and Psychology at King's College London.

"Although this study does not look at the long-term benefits of these treatments, it reminds us that these treatments must be seen a lot and before that," said Dr. Brian Bruno, a psychiatrist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. Before doctors treat their patients with depression. "

He added that magnetic stimulation through the skull, in particular, is not only effective, but also very safe and well tolerated by patients.

"It's not clear how brain stimulation can help treat depression," he said, "in the case of SMT, it is thought that it is altering its activity in brain areas." inactive or too depressed. "

The researchers conclude that the results of the study will inform physicians, patients, and health care providers of the comparative advantages of multiple non-surgical brain stimulation techniques.