Deep brain stimulation (DBS)

Treatment of major depressive disorder has been studied in subcallosal deep brain stimulation. A blinded controlled trial failed to produce significant difference between active and sham stimulation at a 6-month endpoint. Authors argue that when looking at a longer timeline (18-24 months) in an open-label study there is greater observed benefit, which persists > 8 years later. (Crowell et al, 2019).

References

Crowell, A. L. et al. Long-Term Outcomes of Subcallosal Cingulate Deep Brain Stimulation for Treatment-Resistant Depression. Am. J. Psychiatry 176, 949–956 (2019). PubMed link