Electroshock To Treat Depression Found Effective in Study

Experts demonstrated with the help of a study that electroshock therapy is so far effective and underestimated therapy for depression.

Brain images (MRI) of 9 adults who were suffering from chronic depression were examined by scientists. Scientists learned that that electroconvulsive therapy affected several connections between the parts of the brain in depressive people.

The study has confirmed presence of hyperconnectivity in brain of depressed people. And MRI scan showed that the hyperconnectivity can be eliminated by electroshock therapy. The study was conducted at University of Aberdeen in Scotland by Dr Christian Schwarzbauer and team.

It is widely believed that activities in brain of depression patient are too high to respond stimulation given from outside. But this therapy and its result has proved that even a overdriven brain can be treated from external therapy.

The study has opened the door for more improvment to increase efficacy of the treatment.

Electroshock treatment is usually preferred when patient with severe depression symptoms fails to respond antidepressants drug treatment and other available therapy.

The study has been published on Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Scan image of brain was taken for total nine patients of chronic depression. They then received therapy two times in a week. The therapy was continued till patients showed improvment such as decrease in sorrowness. Scan image of their brain was taken after therapy.

The scientists focused on prefrontal cortex. It is a part of brain located on left side. Brain images of the patients showed that the connections of prefrontal cortex with other part had become less intense after receiving shock therapy.

Studies in past has indicated link between dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and depression. That part of the brain is associated with emotions such as anger, mood such as sadness. Electroshock therapy stopped communication between prefrontal cortex and other part which studies showed association with depression.