Mood-Boosting for Patient Suffering from Depression

Researchers have found that orbitofrontal cortex of the brain, when stimulated using electrical circuit improves the mood of the people suffering from depression. Vikram Rao, University of California states that the pattern of activity due to electrical stimulation was similar to patterns seen when patients naturally experience positive mood states. 

They hope that this method gives promising results in depression patients.  In the past studies, success depends on target selection and its success depends on the areas situated deep in the brain. 

In the latest study, their concentration was focused on OFC (mood-related circuits), more superficial target, but there were sufficient interconnections with several other brain regions involved in emotions and feelings.   

The researchers used implanted electrodes to stimulate OFC and found good results in mood swings of the depressant patients.  The changes in the brain activity after stimulation are the same with the brain activity of those normal people with good mood.  But they have a lot of work remaining before this could enter clinical practice, say the researchers.