Pacemaker 'cure' for depression

Scientists have developed a "brain pacemaker" that can cure depression by drilling holes into the skull and attaching electrodes to the brain which create a brighter mood.

Four women and two men had two electrodes planted into their brain to stimulate one of the areas involved in mood control. The other ends of the wires were threaded under the scalp down to the lower neck area.

Next, the patients had a pulse generator implant, the "pacemaker", sewn in under the skin of their chest. The wires were hooked up to this to provide constant brain stimulation.

All six volunteers reported acute effects once the current was switched on. These included a sudden brightening of the room and a "disappearing of the void".

However, two of the six, lapsed back into depression within six months. But the scientists believe that fine-tuning the implant treatment could eventually cure most cases of severe depression.

Via Scotsman.
Picture from Popular Science.