In a “stunning” breakthrough for people suffering from often untreatable mental illnesses, researchers have successfully treated a woman suffering from severe depression.

They achieved this by using an experimental brain implant.&nbsp;The device interrupts patterns of brain activity linked with depression by automatically delivering stimulation via small electrical pulses deep inside the brain.

She was able to laugh spontaneously for the first time in five years since she underwent the therapy, said Sarah, 36, the patient.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/morning-people-may-be-at-lower-risk-of-depression-than-night-owls-393145">Morning people may be at lower risk of depression than night owls</a>

In spite of the fact that the therapy has only been tested on one patient, the success is considered significant. However, it is only suitable for patients with serious illnesses.

These results are the first demonstration that symptoms of mental illness can be identified reliably and that the brain networks involved in producing these symptoms can be manipulated to get the patient back on track.

The project's lead researcher, Katherine Scangos of UCSF, said that before this, in psychiatry they've been unable to perform such type of personalized therapy.&nbsp;She added that the success of this study marks an amazing advance in the understanding of brain function that contributes to mental illness.

Tens of thousands of patients with Parkinson's disease and epilepsy have been treated with deep brain stimulation (DBS) over the past two decades.&nbsp;Several depression trials, however, have failed.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-lawmakers-grill-facebook-over-teen-mental-health-417319">US lawmakers grill Facebook over teen mental health</a>

A major challenge to research on depression and DBS is that depression is not seen in a single area of the brain, but rather&nbsp;several interconnected ones. This too can differ from person to person.

Sarah's neurosurgeon, Prof Edward Chang of UCSF, says that they are beginning to understand how mood is regulated in the brain as a network.

The latest advance came about as a result of a meticulous, individualized approach. An initial week-long phase of the study involved Sarah recording her mood on a tablet and a temporary brain implant recording her activities.

Through a machine learning algorithm, the researchers identified a telltale pattern of activity in the amygdala region associated with Sarah's lowest points.

By trial and error, the scientists discovered that a tiny dose of electricity could immediately and profoundly affect a closely connected brain region, the ventral striatum.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/greater-risk-of-postpartum-depression-in-women-exposed-to-harmful-chemicals-in-plastic-study-377008">Greater risk of postpartum depression in women exposed to harmful chemicals in plastic: Study</a>

As Sarah describes it; for a moment, she felt her depression as a distant nightmare when she first experienced stimulation.&nbsp;Besides a subtle sense of alertness and positivity, Sarah said there was no sensation associated with the electrical pulse.

After this, in the second round, minimally invasive surgery was performed, implanting a permanent device, which&nbsp;is an adaptation of one normally used to treat epilepsy.&nbsp;Known as the NeuroPace RNS System, it costs about $35,000.

Scangos noted that treating symptoms in the moment, as they arise, is a whole new way to treat even the most difficult cases of depression. Additionally, she hopes the work will eradicate the stigma associated with depression.

In a “stunning” breakthrough for people suffering from often untreatable mental illnesses, researchers have successfully treated a woman suffering from severe depression.

In a “stunning” breakthrough for people suffering from often untreatable mental illnesses, researchers have successfully treated a woman suffering from severe depression. They achieved this by using an experimental brain implant. The device interrupts patterns of brain activity linked with depression by automatically delivering stimulation via small electrical pulses deep inside the brain. She was able to laugh spontaneously for the first time in five years since she underwent the therapy, said Sarah, 36, the patient. Also read | Morning people may be at lower risk of depression than night owls In spite of the fact that the therapy has only been tested on one patient, the success is considered significant. However, it is only suitable for patients with serious illnesses. These results are the first demonstration that symptoms of mental illness can be identified reliably and that the brain networks involved in producing these symptoms can be manipulated to get the patient back on track. The project's lead researcher, Katherine Scangos of UCSF, said that before this, in psychiatry they've been unable to perform such type of personalized therapy. She added that the success of this study marks an amazing advance in the understanding of brain function that contributes to mental illness. Tens of thousands of patients with Parkinson's disease and epilepsy have been treated with deep brain stimulation (DBS) over the past two decades. Several depression trials, however, have failed. Also read | US lawmakers grill Facebook over teen mental health A major challenge to research on depression and DBS is that depression is not seen in a single area of the brain, but rather several interconnected ones. This too can differ from person to person. Sarah's neurosurgeon, Prof Edward Chang of UCSF, says that they are beginning to understand how mood is regulated in the brain as a network. The latest advance came about as a result of a meticulous, individualized approach. An initial week-long phase of the study involved Sarah recording her mood on a tablet and a temporary brain implant recording her activities. Through a machine learning algorithm, the researchers identified a telltale pattern of activity in the amygdala region associated with Sarah's lowest points. By trial and error, the scientists discovered that a tiny dose of electricity could immediately and profoundly affect a closely connected brain region, the ventral striatum. Also read | Greater risk of postpartum depression in women exposed to harmful chemicals in plastic: Study As Sarah describes it; for a moment, she felt her depression as a distant nightmare when she first experienced stimulation. Besides a subtle sense of alertness and positivity, Sarah said there was no sensation associated with the electrical pulse. After this, in the second round, minimally invasive surgery was performed, implanting a permanent device, which is an adaptation of one normally used to treat epilepsy. Known as the NeuroPace RNS System, it costs about $35,000. Scangos noted that treating symptoms in the moment, as they arise, is a whole new way to treat even the most difficult cases of depression. Additionally, she hopes the work will eradicate the stigma associated with depression.

'Pacemaker for brain': Woman’s depression treated by electrical brain implant

According to researchers, the happiness quotient in early adulthood may be&nbsp;linked to preventing dementia in old age.

Researchers at the University of California-San Francisco have found that depression at a young age could lead to cognitive decline in later years.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-parents-say-mental-health-of-their-children-is-worsening-in-pandemic-415433">Also Read: Australian parents say mental health of their children is worsening in pandemic</a>

In a research conducted among 15,000 participants between 20 to 89, the study&nbsp;found that 73 per cent who had more depressive symptoms showed more chances of cognitive decline in adulthood during the&nbsp;20s and 43 per cent chances of mental decline later in life. The participants during the study were divided among young,&nbsp;midlife and older population.

The research revealed that those who suffered from depression, anxiety and stress also had poor mental health while explaining that depression increased dementia risk. The research found those who suffered depressive symptoms their cognition declined at a faster rate.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/pandemic-can-leave-long-term-effect-on-kids-mental-health-study-385473">Also Read:&nbsp;Pandemic can leave long-term effect on kids' mental health</a>

The study said older adults who displayed "moderate or high depressive" symptoms in early adulthood their cognition declined over a ten year period as poor mental health took a toll on cognition.

The research is significant due to rising mental health issues during the pandemic. In another study, researchers had found that those who had depression and anxiety before the pandemic suffered more due to disruption in jobs and healthcare amid the pandemic.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mental-health-patients-suffered-during-lockdown-due-to-lack-of-in-clinic-appointment-380107">Also Read:&nbsp;Mental health patients suffered during lockdown due to lack of in-clinic appointment</a>

The research published in the British Journal of Psychiatry concluded that those who had depression or anxiety were 24 per cent more likely to have delayed medical procedures and had a 12 per cent greater chance of losing their job.

(With inputs from Agencies)

According to researchers, the happiness quotient in early adulthood may be linked to preventing dementia in old age. Researchers at the University of California-San Francisco have found that depression at a young age could lead to cognitive decline in later years.

According to researchers, the happiness quotient in early adulthood may be linked to preventing dementia in old age. Researchers at the University of California-San Francisco have found that depression at a young age could lead to cognitive decline in later years. Also Read: Australian parents say mental health of their children is worsening in pandemic In a research conducted among 15,000 participants between 20 to 89, the study found that 73 per cent who had more depressive symptoms showed more chances of cognitive decline in adulthood during the 20s and 43 per cent chances of mental decline later in life. The participants during the study were divided among young, midlife and older population. The research revealed that those who suffered from depression, anxiety and stress also had poor mental health while explaining that depression increased dementia risk. The research found those who suffered depressive symptoms their cognition declined at a faster rate. Also Read: Pandemic can leave long-term effect on kids' mental health The study said older adults who displayed "moderate or high depressive" symptoms in early adulthood their cognition declined over a ten year period as poor mental health took a toll on cognition. The research is significant due to rising mental health issues during the pandemic. In another study, researchers had found that those who had depression and anxiety before the pandemic suffered more due to disruption in jobs and healthcare amid the pandemic. Also Read: Mental health patients suffered during lockdown due to lack of in-clinic appointment The research published in the British Journal of Psychiatry concluded that those who had depression or anxiety were 24 per cent more likely to have delayed medical procedures and had a 12 per cent greater chance of losing their job. (With inputs from Agencies)

Happiness may help you to protect against dementia later in life, research finds

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