The Walrus >> New Treatment for Depression >> Mapping the Blues >> science

This is one of most interesting articles about depression that I've read. It covers the history of depression treatment, some very interesting research into brain patterns shown in depressed patients, and a preliminary review of deep-brain stimulation (DBS) treatment.

Here is the transcript of an interview with Dr. Helen Mayberg, the doctor profiled in the earlier article.

We have a ways to go before DBS or any similar treatment is going to be generally available and, more importantly, proved to be effective. Nevertheless, the idea of evidence-based treatments - where we can see the effect of treatment as it happens, rather than waiting the days, weeks, and months that are now a part of the current treatments - is exciting and hopeful.