A “brain pacemaker’’ that can make depressed people happy again -TOI

Scientists have conducted a successful trial of a “brain pacemaker’’ that can make depressed people happy again by electronically stimulating the brain. The experiment is thought to be the first true demonstration of electronic mood control. Those behind it emphasise more trials are needed but hope it could offer a drug-free therapy for millions suffering long-lasting clinical depression.

Dr Helen Mayberg, who led the research, said "I see depression as a brain disease, not as a chemical imbalance like most psychiatrists. The brain is not a bowl of soup. You cannot just add a chemical and stir. It is a very intricate wiring system. Some circuits were not working for these people. Once we turned on the stimulator the changes were astounding."