Canadian researchers have found that a surgical technique known as deep brain stimulation relieves depression symptoms in those with a severe form of the condition.
Researchers have found that DBS alleviated symptoms in 60 per cent of patients with a condition known as Major Depressant Disorder. The effect lasted for at least one year.
The researchers, led by Dr. Andres Lozano at Toronto Western Hospital, treated 20 patients. They targeted the area of the brain known as the subcallosal cingulated gyrus (SCG), which has been proven to be overactive in patients with depression. Researchers say that some people are born with this condition, while others somehow develop elevated activity levels in the SCG.
DBS involves placing electrodes on the brain that deliver an electrical current to regulate those hyperactive circuits.
The team found that after one month, 35 per cent of the study participants had a reduction in symptoms -- while 10 per cent had such a low score on the standard depression symptom test that they were considered to be in "remission." After six months, 60 per cent of patients had a reduction in symptoms, while 35 per cent went into remission.
As activity in the SCG stabilized, patients' moods, sleep patterns and appetites improved, while their anxiety levels decreased.
"The significance of the study is that we've been able to show in twenty patients that have failed all other treatments that deep brain stimulation may be able to help them with their severe depression," Lozano told Â鶹´«Ã½.
Following the procedure, four patients developed wound infections, one had a seizure and four had pain where the hardware was implanted.
The findings are published online in the journal Biological Psychiatry.
Major Depressant Disorder is very hard to treat and most patients do not respond to conventional treatment, such as medication and psychotherapy. It affects about 10 per cent to 20 per cent of people with depression.
This research builds on previous findings by Lozano and his team. The researchers first reported that DBS could help depression patients when they published findings of their work with six patients in 2005.
The researchers will continue their work in this area of study. They are hoping to determine why some patients respond to DBS and others do not.
As well, researchers in the United States will soon conduct a clinical trial, whereby patients who are implanted with electrodes will either receive the electrical stimulation right away or six months later. This will help determine if there is any placebo effect simply from having the electrodes implanted.
With a report from CTV medical specialist Avis Favaro and senior producer Elizabeth St. Philip
