Researchers test deep brain simulation for severe depression treatment

Researchers Test Deep Brain Stimulation for Severe Depression Treatment

Every person has to be approached holistically, especially when dealing with mental illness. My family has a very long history with mental illness, specifically depression. Both of my parents took their lives by the time I was 30. My dad took his life when I was 19, which is when I began to feel the symptoms of depression. My first major episode happened when I was 21. By then, I had tried every treatment available: medications up to the highest doses, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). If it weren’t for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), I am pretty certain I wouldn’t be alive today.

At first, I was blown away by the concept of DBS. It seemed so intense—it’s brain surgery with wires embedded in the brain. However, I felt that I had tried everything else, and nothing worked. Simply put, DBS, or Deep Brain Stimulation, is essentially a pacemaker for the brain. The positioning of the electrode can engage various circuits in the brain, and it delivers small amounts of current at 130 Hertz continuously. Not only does DBS provide stimulation, but it also allows us to measure brain activity directly from the device.

In my case, patients like me can record their own brain data, which is then analyzed. For instance, here’s my brain data. This is the very beginning phase, which just captures raw brain activity. The real work begins in the rehab phase that follows the surgery.

We often observe that people undergoing DBS look different. Depression causes people to move slower, feel like they're in quicksand, or describe lifting their limbs as walking through maple syrup. These are definitive signs of the condition.

So far, today is off to a good start—I'm feeling active and productive. By measuring speech and facial movements in new ways and correlating all of that with data from brain scans, we create layers of data. These include self-reported scales, observations on how one looks, sounds, and moves. Instead of random treatment adjustments, we use this data to make better decisions such as when to initiate DBS, start or modify medications, and refer to therapy.

Just being able to experience joy and look forward to things is something that wouldn’t be possible with untreated depression. Now, not only do I do these activities, but I plan and enjoy them. It's actually quite remarkable.

Keywords

• Mental Illness
• Depression
• Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
• Electrode
• Brain Surgery
• Electrophysiology
• Rehab Phase
• Brain Data
• Activity Measurement
• Treatment Decisions

FAQ

Q: What is Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)? A: Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is a medical treatment that involves implanting a device that functions as a pacemaker for the brain. It delivers continuous electrical stimulation to specific areas of the brain.

Q: What conditions can DBS treat? A: Primarily, DBS is used for severe, treatment-resistant depression but is also being explored for other conditions such as Parkinson's disease and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Q: What does DBS surgery involve? A: DBS involves brain surgery where wires are implanted in specific brain areas to deliver electrical stimulation continuously.

Q: How does DBS help in treating depression? A: DBS helps by engaging various circuits in the brain, which can alleviate symptoms of severe depression. The stimulation adjusts brain activity, helping to improve mood and physical activity.

Q: Can patients track their own brain activity with DBS? A: Yes, patients can record and monitor their own brain activity, which can be analyzed by healthcare providers for better treatment management.

Q: What is the significance of the rehab phase following DBS surgery? A: The rehab phase is crucial as it involves adjusting to the stimulation, tracking progress, and making any necessary changes to the treatment plan based on detailed data collection and analysis.

Q: What kinds of data are collected to optimize treatment decisions? A: Multiple layers of data are collected, including self-reported scales, observations of how the patient looks, sounds, moves, and direct brain activity measurements from the DBS device.