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More formal research on deep brain stimulation (DBS) exists for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder than for treating depression (JW Psychiatry Dec 29 2008). To fill that gap, researchers conducted a multisite, open-label, manufacturer-funded study involving 15 patients with extremely refractory depression (mean illness duration, 21 years; duration of current episode, >2 years; mean of 6 trials of antidepressant monotherapy; mean of 6 trials of augmentation of antidepressants; ≥1 ECT trial); one patient had a bipolar diagnosis. Two patients were also unresponsive to vagus nerve stimulation.
DBS was aimed at the ventral internal capsule and ventral striatum. Several depression rating scales were used. Maximum improvement was reached in 3 m…