Summary:
Researchers conducted a pilot clinical trial showing that spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a feasible and well-tolerated method with potential to treat major depressive disorder. The trial involved 20 patients undergoing three weekly 20-minute SCS sessions over eight weeks. Results revealed that those who received active stimulation exhibited a greater decrease in depressive symptom severity compared to the control group. This innovative approach suggests that modulating brain-body neural pathways through SCS can significantly impact mood regulation and offers a novel direction in treating psychiatric disorders.
Key Facts:
- The study showed spinal cord stimulation to be a promising treatment for depression, well-tolerated by patients.
- Participants receiving active stimulation experienced a significant reduction in depressive symptoms.
- The research opens possibilities for further trials and development of a portable SCS device for psychiatric disorder treatment.
Source:
University of Cincinnati
Research Background:
Principal investigator Francisco Romo-Nava, MD, PhD, said the study focused on how the communication between the brain and body is involved in psychiatric disorders. The brain-body neural pathways play a crucial role in mood regulation, and this connection is thought to be dysregulated in mood and anxiety disorders. Neurons in the spinal cord are involved in conveying information from the body to regions of the brain responsible for mood. The research team developed a novel approach through noninvasive spinal cord stimulation that aims to modulate this interaction, with the goal of improving mood regulation and reducing depressive symptoms.
Trial Details:
With funding from the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation NARSAD Young Investigator Award, Romo-Nava designed a pilot study to assess the feasibility and tolerability of spinal cord stimulation for patients with major depressive disorder. A total of 20 patients were enrolled, with half receiving active stimulation and the other half receiving a control intervention. Patients underwent three 20-minute sessions per week for eight weeks at the Lindner Center of HOPE.
Trial Results:
The study demonstrated the feasibility and safety of the spinal cord stimulation intervention, with minimal side effects reported by the participants. Patients undergoing active stimulation experienced a greater reduction in the severity of their depressive symptoms compared to the control group. Notably, the active stimulation group also showed changes in diastolic blood pressure, suggesting a potential impact on brain-body interactions beyond mood regulation. Romo-Nava emphasized the need for further studies with larger samples to confirm the results and explore the optimal dose and conditions for the treatment.
About this Depression Research News:
Author: Tim Tedeschi
Source: University of Cincinnati
Dr Amelia Johnson, MD, Cure of Mind