In its first placebo-controlled study, deep brain stimulation has shown that it can provide long-term relief from depression that has failed to respond to other types of therapy.
Unfortunately it is not a quick or easy fix. It requires the surgical implantation of electrodes deep in the brain and recovery can be quite slow. In fact, some the patients studied did not respond until after a year or more of stimulation.
However, out of the twelve patients who reached the two-year point using the device, all but one experienced either a complete remission of symptoms or had only mild symptoms.
Also encouraging was the fact that bipolar disorder patients in the study responded just as well as those with major depressive disorder.
It should be noted, however, that deep brain stimulation is not a cure for depression. The effects only continue as long as the stimulation is applied. Still, for those who have found no relief elsewhere, it may be a worthwhile option to pursue.
At the present time larger placebo-controlled phase-3 clinical trials are being carried out in multiple centers in North America and Europe by two different manufacturers of the device, but those results will not be available for several years.
The study was conducted by neurologist Helen Mayberg at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.
Your analysis of this study is correct except for one thing. There was no placebo. This was an open-label study where all patients enrolled received treatment. 3 patients received sham stimulation for a short time, but their condition deteriorated and stimulation was quickly restored. Therefore, its more than a bit of a stretch to call this a placebo-controlled trial.
Thank you
I don’t think I’d feel comfortable receiving DBS for depression. I know that there are several surgeries that were once meant for one thing that actually works for other maladies as well..
I have Cervical Dysotonia, a sister neurological disorder to Parkinson’s Disease. Dystonia is still mis-understood and too many times, it’s mis-diagnosed.
I attended the Northeast Medical Dystonia Foundation’s Symposium, not too long ago, and there were several neurologists and neuro-surgeons who spoke.
There was a couple of hours dedicated to DBS (deep brain stimulation). The doctor speaking said that the odds of making it out alive, or not, were 1 in every 100 patients would die during or after DBS. It’s the same odds as having a that surgery where they block your stomach with something.. I just can’t remember the name.
TMS works from 3-6 months and brings great relief.
If you say that DBS is not a cure for depression, and that the brain has to continue being stimulated for a positive effect, if any…while relief may happen – and not always- after a year, it appears that the whole struggle to try and obtain relief would eventually prove much longer than any periods of relief obtained. (I’m not displaying my own address)
Mark, I’ve only read about TMS on here, and the articles are out-dated. But it seems like a better option than DBS. Can you tell me more about it or give me sites to check it out? Thanks.
Hi
This is just a ‘polite’ term for Electric Shock Therapy.
Be very aware of how dangerous this is and from first hand experience I would never even consider this treatment for anything.
It changes personalities (too often not for the better) and also has detrimental long term effects on abilities etc.
Proceed with caution.
Hey Dreamy, dont talk unless your experienced. Hearsay is pointless.
The rates positive with ECT is roughly 30-45%, depending on who you does the stats. I personally know 4 people today who are getting long term help with severe mental illness with Ect. Ive also known another 4-5 I’m no longer in touch with that had helpful experiences.
On the other hand, I’m a former vagus nerve stimulator patient. and got no help from it at all. So I’m pursuing ECT now myself.
And yes, Ive known l about 6-8 who got nothing from it. The odds are good. Yes there can be bad side affects, just like cures for cancer.
What would be youre choice?
this is interesting ti read as dbs was shown on the tv here last night. i thought it would be a good option to ect. what is tms?
as with any surgery there is always a risk of loss of life.