Apples for Health- Electrical stimulator used for depression

Electrical stimulator used for depression

MILAN, Italy, March 17 (UPI) -- Italian researchers say low-level electrical pulses may ease symptoms for patients with severe depression.

Researchers from Policlinico Maggiore Hospital in Milan and Santa Chiara Clinic in Verona said the device, which applies a low-power current through electrodes placed on the forehead, was successfully tested on 14 patients with drug-resistant depression, ANSA reported Tuesday.

The improvement was maintained for several weeks after treatment stopped.

The research team said the treatment has the potential to help patients whose depression does not respond to drugs but who are not able to be treated with electroshock therapy, which uses much stronger levels of electricity.