Download a PDF of the 2012 Annual Report - Black Dog Institute

NeurostimulationResearch Leaders – Professor Colleen Loo, DrDonel MartinNeurostimulation refers to using differentmechanisms to stimulate brain cells in order to treatand manage psychiatric disorders such as bipolardisorder and depression. Traditionally, the only treatmentoption within this sphere was electroconvulsivetherapy (ECT) which is not a suitable treatment foreveryone.Research at the Black Dog Institute is leadingthe way into new forms of neurostimulation, includingtranscranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS). Thisinvolves stimulating frontal areas of the brain with verysmall currents while patients remained awake andalert. The treatment has no known serious side effectsand is suitable for patients seeking an alternative tomedication or those who are unable to tolerate antidepressantdrugs or Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT).The neurostimulation team are also researchingthe use of ketamine to help relieve depression. Traditionallyused for anaesthesia or sedation, ketamineled to dramatic improvements in people sufferingclinical depression, evident from within hours of thetreatment to a day later.26