Researchers have developed a new method for treating depression, demonstrating positive results in initial studies. This approach could serve as a safe and non-invasive alternative to traditional treatments, including medication and therapy. The findings were published in the journal Nature Medicine.
The proposed method is known as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a non-invasive procedure that employs a weak electrical current (ranging from 0.5 to 2 milliamperes). This current is delivered through a specialized device with electrodes attached to the scalp to stimulate specific brain regions.
The study involved 174 adults diagnosed with moderate to severe depression, who were randomly assigned to two groups. Both groups used the devices at home for ten weeks, with varying session frequencies.
Results indicated a significant improvement in the first group, with 44.9% achieving remission, compared to only 21.8% in the placebo group. Professor Cynthia Fu from King’s College London noted that while medications and therapy can be effective, they are often inaccessible to many and can have side effects.
tDCS presents a potentially new approach that is both accessible and free from complications associated with current first-line treatments. Further research will be conducted to validate the efficacy of this method.