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According to a recent article that was published in the Scientific American, brain pacemakers may, in fact, effectively treat depression and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). This medical procedure isn’t that new, however. In fact, the technique of implanting brain pacemakers has been used since the late 1990s to treat patients who were suffering from Parkinson’s disease.

How Does it Work?

The way in which the brain pacemaker works is, the device is implanted just under the collarbone and has electrodes that connect to the brain. When neurosurgeons apply electrical stimulation to the electrodes, patients will typically show marked improvement in mood as well as sleep. This procedure is one of the largest and longest studies of its kind and has been proven time and again as being effective in treating a variety of conditions which, in addition to Parkinsons, OCD and severe depression, also include essential tremor and dystonia.

According to the article, the technique is also known as “deep brain stimulation” and is being headed by Dr. Ali Rezai, who is the head of neurosurgery at the Cleveland Clinic. Researchers from Butler Hospital/Brown Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School are also involved in the study. There are certainly going to be some critics who think that those who are suffering from depression shouldn’t have to rely on such an invasive procedure such as this one, however. In the meantime, as more research continues to be done on this medical procedure, it lends hope to the millions of people out there who suffer from severe depression.

What do you think about the use of brain pacemakers? Do you think it is a good idea for those who are severely depressed? Let us know what you think !

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