Brain Simulation Could be Effective for Teen Depression

Highlights:

Depression is a common illness worldwide, affecting more than 2.7 million youth
While medication is only half effective, it comes with a host of side effects like suicidal thoughts, feeling agitated, and insomnia //
Theta-burst stimulation (TBS), which is a form of brain simulation, could be a promising treatment for youth depression

In a recent study, neurotechnological approaches to treating depression in youth were found to be promising.

Researchers investigated the clinical and neurophysiological effects of using brain stimulation followed by cognitive exercise for treating Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in 26 youth (aged 16 - 24 years old).

Adolescent Depression - Causes - Affects - Depressed Teens - Treatment - FAQs
Adolescent depression is an ailment that occurs during the teenage characterized by persistent melancholy, disappointment and loss of self-esteem.

‘Depression is a silent killer and has resulted in the deaths of millions of youths. A new tech treatment involving brain simulation could be the answer.Adolescent Depression ’

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MDD has been ranked as the third leading cause of the burden of disease worldwide in 2008 by the WHO, which has projected that this disease will rank first by 2030. It is diagnosed when an individual has a persistently low or depressed mood, anhedonia or decreased interest in pleasurable activities, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, lack of energy, poor concentration, appetite changes, psychomotor retardation or agitation, sleep disturbances, or suicidal thoughts ().

The cause of MDD is believed to be multifactorial, including biological, genetic, environmental, and psychosocial factors.

The specific form of brain stimulation, referred to as theta-burst stimulation (TBS), has already been shown to be a fast and effective method for treating depression in adults. TBS involves administering magnetic pulses, or bursts, to stimulate the brain’s prefrontal cortex. This area of the brain is involved in various aspects of cognition, including reasoning, problem-solving, comprehension, and impulse control. It also happens to be a brain region heavily implicated in MDD. For example, impairments to the prefrontal cortex have been linked to symptoms such as rumination and suicidal ideation.

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In this study, researchers targeted the prefrontal cortex with repeated sessions of TBS for four weeks in youth participants. Researchers then observed and monitored changes in brain activity using a multimodal brain mapping technique of transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with electroencephalography (TMS-EEG) ().

At the end of the four-week trial, researchers noted significant changes in brain activity in the treatment regions as well as in regions that were not directly stimulated with TBS. Changes in brain activity were also associated with a reduction in depressive and rumination scores.

Treatments for Major Depressive Disorder

MDD affects approximately 11% of adolescents and youth, but existing treatments, such as medication and/or psychotherapy, fail to significantly improve symptoms in about 30 – 50% of cases.

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Researchers note that some medications have also been associated with side effects in youth such as suicidal thoughts, and behaviors, leading to the search for safer treatment options.

Previous research has shown a link between dysfunction of the prefrontal cortex and MDD. Using TMS-EEG brain mapping technology, they also found that the prefrontal cortex in youth with MDD exhibited greater brain activity relative to healthy youth. It was very interesting to see in the current study that four weeks of TBS treatment seemed to reduce this excessive brain activity, possibly reflecting a return to a ‘healthy’ state, according to researchers.

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Prefrontal cortex impairments in youth with MDD may also contribute to symptoms such as rumination and suicidal ideation/behaviour. Since the prefrontal cortex is critical for executive functioning, dysfunction or deficits in this region can lead to the onset and maintenance of depressive symptoms.

The researchers say neurotechnological treatments, such as the combination of TBS targeted to the prefrontal cortex followed by a cognitive exercise that may also engage this brain area, have the potential to optimize impact on the prefrontal cortex in youth with MDD and alleviate symptoms more effectively.

TBS has great potential as an alternative treatment for youth with MDD who do not respond to conventional treatments. However, in order to advance the use of TBS in the youth population with MDD, insight into the neurophysiological effects of TBS on the youth brain is required.

References:

Depression - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30396512/)
Neurophysiological impact of theta burst stimulation followed by cognitive exercise in treatment of youth depression - (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666915322001317)

Source-Medindia