Deep brain stimulation for treatment-resistant depression: Follow-up after 3 to 6 years
American Journal of Psychiatry, 02/04/2011
Clinical Article
Kennedy SH et al. –This report represents an extended follow-up of 20 patients with treatment-resistant depression who received DBS to the subcallosal cingulate gyrus (Brodmann's area 25). These data suggest that in the long term, DBS remains a safe and effective treatment for treatment-resistant depression. Additional trials with larger samples are needed to confirm these findings.
Methods- After an initial 12-month study of DBS, patients seen annually and at last follow-up visit to assess depression severity, functional outcomes, and adverse events
- Average response rates 1, 2, and 3 years after DBS implantation were 62.5%, 46.2%, and 75%
- At last follow-up visit (range=3–6 years), average response rate 64.3%
- Functional impairment in the areas of physical health and social functioning progressively improved up to the last follow-up visit
- No significant adverse events reported during this follow-up, although 2 patients died by suicide during depressive relapses
