# Open-LIFU depression pilot: 35% of 20 patients reach remission after under two hours of ultrasound

Canonical page: https://technooptimist.io/stories/open-lifu-depression-pilot-35-of-20-patients-reach-remission-after-409802a2
Date: 7 Apr 2025
About: [Openwater](https://technooptimist.io/companies/openwater.md) · [Open-LIFU](https://technooptimist.io/neurotech/open-lifu.md)
Original source: https://www.medicaldevice-developments.com/news/study-reveals-effectiveness-of-open-lifu-2-0-in-reducing-depression-symptoms/

A University of Arizona study in Frontiers in Psychiatry gave 20 people with depression 11 ten-minute sessions of Open-LIFU 2.0 over three weeks, aimed at the anterior medial prefrontal cortex. Depression severity fell substantially in 45-60% of participants, with no significant side effects.

## Key facts

- 35% reached clinical remission
- Dropout 10%; participants also reported fewer repetitive negative thoughts
- Larger randomised controlled studies are planned

---

The Techno Optimist tracks every frontier of technology, program by program: https://technooptimist.io/ (a Markdown version of any page: add .md to its URL; site map for agents: https://technooptimist.io/llms.txt).
Data API (JSON, realtime stream): https://technooptimist.io/developers. People read 5 pages free, then Reader $10/month; these Markdown pages are open to agents.