Meet the mood decoder to “measure” depression

The brain works like a big processor in our body and despite all the advances in medicine, experts don't know which parts are most affected by depression. But a project by neuroscientists from MIT it gives hope: the mood decoder was able to identify how our brain acts in the midst of a case of depression and the use of electrodes can help send bad feelings away.

Still in its first stage of development, the Deep brain stimulation (DBS or deep brain stimulation) has had only a few successful cases so far, but it could be the light at the end of the tunnel to help solve the XNUMXst century evil. Understand the details right now.

MIT's latest project

Announced through a publication on MIT Technology Review, o DBS It works in a “very Black Mirror” way. Neuroscientists placed electrodes in the brains of three volunteers and were able to find out that the region called the cingulate cortex had greater activity when the patient was happy and less activity when they were going through a depressive moment.

Despite representing information from a small portion in relation to the large number of people diagnosed with depression worldwide, the advance helps to know how the DBS it can be used as a mood decoder and this can reduce the time to diagnosis of depression in the future.

Neuroscientists know that there is still a lot to be done and that, of course, everyone has different reasons for depression. It is necessary to understand how the mood decoder can help detect this psychological problem without leaving aside the traumas and motives of each patient.

This is the first demonstration of consistent and successful human mood decoding in these brain regions.

 Sameer Sheth, leader and neurosurgeon at Baylor College of Medicine. 

Use of electrodes for treating depression

The publication about DBS also told the story of a man who identified himself as John and has been depressed since going through a breakup at the age of 27. He received a total of 14 electrodes in his brain in 2020 and decided to be part of the MIT experimental treatment after trying traditional methods with antidepressants, antipsychotics and sedatives.

Electroconvulsive therapy, which provides electrical stimulation to one or both sides of a person's head, is now widely used to treat conditions such as Parkinson's or epilepsy. But it had never been used for depression. Until John, tired of experiencing depressive moments, agreed to participate in the MIT test.

Before permanent use, the neuroscientists spent nine days monitoring the patient's brain activity and in this way, they managed to determine which parts were more active or inactive according to John's mood swings. The most interesting thing is that the DBS was able to measure peaks that may indicate problems in the not so distant future.

Currently, John has four of the fourteen electrodes in his brain (two on each side where symptoms of depression are believed to be involved), these which send electrical stimuli to his brain and have helped in the treatment of depression. The devices connect with a battery installed in your chest and the charging is done weekly.

There were cases in which the doctors turned off the electrodes without telling the patient and he found himself in a moment of great sadness, without sleep and with high levels of anxiety. He comments that he realized the devices were disabled the very next night.

I really feel back online. Depression is like a constant weight on your soul. When they touched that perfect little spot, the weight was removed.

To date, this treatment has been used in four other people, all with severe depression and resistance to traditional care. Before considering an international market launch, Doctor Sheth's team wants to study 12 people in total.

When will the mood decoder be available to everyone?

The diagnosis and possible treatment of depression with the DBS it is still considered risky, as it includes an implant inside the brain, a probe and sending stimuli to different parts of the “processor” of our body. The cost of using electrodes in people with Parkinson's and epilepsy is another problem, since, on average, it is necessary to invest US$ 22.802 (approximately R$ 120 in direct conversion).

The team that created the mood decoder still needs to develop new ways to detect and especially treat depression in an assertive way. They hope to improve DBS and understand more about the issues that cause depression before allowing everyone access to it.

What do you think about having electrodes in your brain for the treatment of psychological illnesses? Tell us us Comment!

See also other features

Meet the artist's idea that uses an AI to talk to your inner child

With information: The Verge l MIT Technology Review