Deep Brain Stimulation

Mental Health

Stimulation of brain's "depression switch" offers rapid, sustained relief

Depression is condition where deep brain stimulation is showing real promise, and a new study has uncovered fresh detail on how it induces anti-depressive effects, offering scientists a novel biomarker via which they can work to optimize the approach.

In a dozen human subjects the brain implant improved performance on cognitive control tests

Mental Health

Computer-controlled brain implant enhances mental function in human trial

A landmark study has demonstrated how a brain implant can deliver targeted bursts of electrical stimulation to improve cognitive functions. In real-time the implant senses biomarkers of cognitive deficits and responds by stimulating specific brain regions.

Researchers continue to push the envelope in terms of how deep brain stimulation can treat Parksin

Body & Mind

Deep brain stimulation advance extends relief from Parkinson's symptoms

For decades surgeons have been using deep brain stimulation to treat severe Parkinson's disease. Now researchers have found a way to deliver it more precisely, resulting in the benefits lasting four times longer in animal models.

The implant monitors brain activity for patterns of depression and responds with short bursts of electrical stimulation designed to disrupt cycles of depressive brain activity

Mental Health

Experimental brain implant zaps away depression in real-time

An incredible proof-of-concept study has demonstrated how a brain implant can treat severe depression using electrical stimulation. The implant tracks neural activity for patterns of depression and zaps a key region in real-time to disrupt the cycle.

Philip O'Keefe is able to use a computer thanks to the Stentrode system

Medical Devices

Brain implant allows mind control of computers in first human trials

Human trials for a first-of-a-kind device designed to treat the brain via electrical stimulation have brought some very promising results, leading to significant quality-of-life improvements for a pair of men with motor neurone disease (MND).

If validated in larger studies, deep brain stimulation will become the first clinically proven therapy to slow Parkinson's disease progression

Body & Mind

Landmark study finds deep brain stimulation slows Parkinson’s progression

New data reporting the long-term effects of deep brain stimulation on early-stage Parkinson’s patients has found the treatment significantly slows the progression of the disease. A large Phase 3 trial is now underway to verify these findings.

A sample of the "magnetoelectric" film, atop a bed of uncooked rice for scale

Medical Devices

Tiny battery-free implant could stimulate neurons to treat disorders

When it comes to the treatment of neurological conditions, doctors are increasingly looking to battery-powered implants that stimulate parts of the brain. Now, however, scientists have developed one that's externally powered by magnetic fields.

A new study has provided the first evidence to suggest Parkinson’s patients are helped by deep brain stimulation due to the treatment directly increasing dopamine levels

Body & Mind

Deep brain stimulation found to increase dopamine levels

Fascinating research reveals evidence for the first time suggesting deep brain electrical stimulation directly increases dopamine releases in the brain.

Researchers implanted electrodes into the brain’s medial forebrain bundle, seen in blue, as a way of treating depression, and found some promising results

Mental Health

Deep brain stimulation provides fast-acting and long-lasting relief of severe depression

A new study exploring the potential for deep brain stimulation to treat severe depression has returned "absolutely sensational" results, with the reduction of depressive symptoms being not only fast-acting, but in some cases long-lasting.

Electrode netting and custom-made technology allows the Frohlich lab at the UNC School of Medicine to stimulate specific parts of the brain

Mental Health

Electrically syncing up brain regions improves depression in first-of-its-kind study

In a first-of-its-kind study a new kind of non-invasive electrical brain stimulation has been trialed in patients with major depression. The results show this new technique to be promising in reducing depressive symptoms, with larger trials set to explore this novel treatment in greater detail.

An illustration highlighting the cingulum in the brain, and how the electrode was implanted there in the patient

Mental Health

Neuroscientists zap patient’s brain to induce laughter ... during surgery

Neuroscientists discovered that electrically stimulating the cingulum brain region creates a mild euphoria complete with laughter, and used it to calm down a patient undergoing a brain surgery where she needed to stay awake. It could be used as a treatment for anxiety, depression or chronic pain.

Scientists have developed what they say is the first device to record or stimulate electrical brain activity from within a blood vessel

Body & Mind

World-first electrical stimulation device blazes a new trail into the brain

Open brain surgery is about as dangerous as it sounds. Fortunately, scientists have opened a new doorway to the brain, developing a promising first-of-a-kind device that can deliver electrical currents to targeted areas through a small keyhole incision in the neck.