Electric headband may jolt away depression

PATIENTS with depression are currently testing a new treatment — a headband that delivers bursts of electricity.

The device provides a form of transcranial direct current stimulation, which means a low voltage jolt of electricity is applied to specific parts of the brain.

This aims to increase or decrease the brain cell activity in the region. The Mindd headset contains electrodes that sit over the frontal lobe of the brain, which is an area associated with depression.

The idea is that people would use the device at home, but this would be coordinated with doctors.

Trials are under way at hospitals in the U.S. and South Korea.