More treatments for depression? SPINE-ally!
This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science.
Your spine constantly communicates with your brain, sending messages like HUNGRY or OW!
But what about sad feelings? Major depressive disorder involves the body AND the brain…
Francisco Romo-Nava and team from Ohio tackled treating the messenger. How? By using non-invasive spinal cord stimulation to send SHOCKINGLY good vibes to battle depression.
Twenty adults were given either active or non-treatment. Twenty-four times across eight weeks, participants received twenty minutes of electrical current along the spine. The active group experienced a steady current and the other group felt two small bursts. Participants said it felt like an itch!
Researchers monitored blood pressure and depression symptom severity. The active group saw a decline in depression symptom severity, including sadness and pessimistic thoughts! PLUS reduced blood pressure was also observed!
Spinal cord stimulation could supplement depression treatment plans or offer a medication-free option!
Don’t be taken a-BACK by these ELECTRIC advances!
Reference: Romo-Nava, F., Awosika, O.O., Basu, I. et al. Effect of non-invasive spinal cord stimulation in unmedicated adults with major depressive disorder: a pilot randomized controlled trial and induced current flow pattern. Mol Psychiatry (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-023-02349-9