FENS 2018: Deep brain stimulation may help individuals with chronic depression

Recent research has revealed that the use of deep brain stimulation (DBS) to treat depression has been demonstrated in some patients, who do not respond to psychotherapy, medication and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), to be highly effective in helping them become well enough to regain their lives. The work, which was presented at the 11th FENS Forum of Neuroscience (7–11 July, Berlin, Germany) by Helen Mayberg (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY, USA), describes on-going research involving small groups of patients. Over the last 9 years, the number of patients who have sustained benefit as a result of continuous...