Deep Brain Stimulation for Depression Informed by Intracranial Recordings

The success of deep brain stimulation (DBS) for treating Parkinson's disease has led to its application to several other disorders, including treatment-resistant depression. Results with DBS for treatment-resistant depression have been heterogeneous, with inconsistencies largely driven by incomplete understanding of the brain networks regulating mood, especially on an individual basis. We report results from the first subject treated with DBS for treatment-resistant depression using an approach that incorporates intracranial recordings to personalize understanding of network behavior and its response to stimulation. These recordings enabled calculation of individually optimized DBS stimulation parameters using a novel inverse solution approach. In the ensuing double-blind, randomized phase incorporating these bespoke parameter sets, DBS led to remission of symptoms and dramatic improvement in quality of life. Results from this initial case demonstrate the feasibility of this personalized platform, which may be used to improve surgical neuromodulation for a vast array of neurologic and psychiatric disorders.

Automated summary

The success of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in treating Parkinson's disease has led to its application in other disorders, including treatment-resistant depression. However, the inconsistent results of DBS for treatment-resistant depression can be attributed to a lack of understanding of the brain networks regulating mood, especially on an individual level. This study reports the results of the first subject treated with DBS for treatment-resistant depression using an approach that incorporates intracranial recordings to personalize understanding of network behavior and its response to stimulation. The findings demonstrate the feasibility of this personalized platform, which has the potential to improve surgical neuromodulation for various neurological and psychiatric disorders.