MentalHealthDaily

Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation Improved Sleep Symptoms More Than Cognition

by GLOOM

MHD featured image for hypoglossal nerve stimulation, sleep apnea symptoms, and cognition.

A 2026 CARDIOSA-12 secondary analysis found that active hypoglossal nerve stimulation improved sleepiness, insomnia, snoring, and sleep-related function, but objective cognitive test performance mostly did not improve compared with partially therapeutic stimulation.1 Symptom relief and measurable cognitive recovery answer separate clinical questions in treated obstructive sleep apnea. Research Highlights Subjective outcomes improved: active HGNS improved …

tDCS Plus Cognitive Training Improved Cognition Short-Term by SMD 0.36

by GLOOM

MHD featured image for tDCS plus cognitive training in cognitive impairment.

A 2026 medRxiv meta-analysis of 27 trials found that transcranial direct current stimulation added to cognitive training improved global cognition immediately after treatment by SMD 0.36 compared with cognitive training alone.1 The signal was small, short-term, and rated very low certainty, so it is not evidence that tDCS is a durable cognitive-rehabilitation shortcut. Research Highlights …

Gamma Brain Stimulation Helps Schizophrenia More Than Depression

by GLOOM

Photoreal illustration of gamma-frequency brain stimulation showing TMS coil and oscillation waveforms in 30-50 Hz range over a brain.

A 2026 meta-analysis of 56 controlled trials found the clearest gamma-frequency neuromodulation signal in schizophrenia: overall symptoms improved vs. control (g = −0.46), global cognition improved (g = 0.55), and MDD showed a smaller depression effect than the schizophrenia symptom estimate (g = −0.34). Bipolar disorder and autism stayed directional but nonsignificant, and the paper’s …

VNS After Failed Epilepsy Surgery Reduced Seizures 76% at 36 Months

by GLOOM

Photoreal illustration showing an implanted vagus nerve stimulator and brain pathways, representing neuromodulation for drug-resistant epilepsy.

A 2026 CORE-VNS registry analysis found that implanted vagus nerve stimulation still produced large 36-month seizure reductions after failed intracranial epilepsy surgery: median all-seizure reduction was 76.3% with prior surgery vs. 76.6% without prior surgery.1 Research Highlights Prior surgery did not blunt the main VNS signal: CORE-VNS reported 76.3% median all-seizure reduction at 36 months …

tVNS Alters Effort and Reward Decisions in Severe Depression

by GLOOM

Photoreal illustration of an ear-clip vagus nerve stimulation electrode, with neural pathway motifs representing reward-effort circuits.

An ear-clip that modulates mood by stimulating the vagus nerve has obvious appeal — but the evidence base for non-invasive tVNS in depression has been mixed for a decade. A 2026 cross-over RCT by Forbes et al. sharpens what specifically tVNS does well.1 Research Highlights Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) is a non-invasive ear-electrode version …

At-Home tDCS Trial (HomeDC) Prematurely Terminated Due to Skin Lesions & Safety Concerns (2023 Study)

by GLOOM

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is emerging as a promising home-based treatment for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), offering a non-invasive, cost-effective, and scalable option for patients. This treatment modulates cortical excitability, potentially altering neuronal activity in the brain areas associated with depression. However, a recent randomized controlled trial (RCT), the HomeDC trial, aimed at investigating …

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) of Nucleus Accumbens (NAc) for Treatment-Resistant Depression (4 Case Reports)

by GLOOM

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) for Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) explores the cutting-edge intersection of technology and neuroscience, offering hope to those for whom traditional treatments have failed. By targeting specific brain areas, such as the nucleus accumbens, DBS attempts to modulate the underlying neural circuits associated with depression. A recent review analyzed case reports documenting significant …