In the US, a 44-year-old man whose long-term treatment had been unsuccessful saw his symptoms disappear thanks to a personalized brain stimulation device.

The positive effects have lasted for more than two years after the intervention.

Severe depression can sometimes resist all existing treatments, from medication to therapy and electroshock.

Such is the case of a 44-year-old American patient with depression, hospitalized as a teenager, who has already tried over twenty medical approaches and survived three suicide attempts, reports New Scientist magazine.

Researchers at the University of Minnesota tried a new approach: mapping his brain to pinpoint the areas associated with his symptoms. The images revealed a striking anomaly. His perception network, responsible for filtering stimuli, was four times larger than normal. This information served as a guide for implanting electrodes capable of modulating neural activity.

The doctors placed the electrodes, and during the first tests, each activated area triggered different reactions: strong emotions and tears of joy, calmness, increased concentration...

This was an unfamiliar experience for the patient, who, according to the researchers, "felt happy for the first time in years."

The electrodes were then connected to small batteries implanted under the skin at the level of the collarbone.

This device, similar to a cardiac pacemaker, sends short electrical impulses several times a day, completely autonomously.

Seven weeks after the operation, the patient reported that he no longer had suicidal thoughts.

Nine months later, he was considered to be in remission, and for much longer than in his previous attempts.

Two and a half years after the intervention, the benefits of the protocol continue, despite a slight temporary deterioration associated with Covid-19.

For experts, this is a major advance and proof that personalized brain stimulation can be a reliable alternative to conventional treatments and change the situation.

The effectiveness and safety of this technique still need to be confirmed on a larger scale through clinical trials, which are expected in the coming years. | BGNES