Deep brain stimulation to the medial forebrain bundle for depression-long-term outcomes and a novel data analysis strategy
BH Bewernick, S Kayser, SM Gippert, C Switala… - Brain Stimulation, 2017 - Elsevier
Brain Stimulation, 2017•Elsevier
Background Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the supero-lateral branch of the medial
forebrain bundle (slMFB) in treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is associated with acute
antidepressant effects. Objective Long-term clinical effects including changes in quality of
life, side effects and cognition as well as long-term data covering four years are assessed.
Methods Eight TRD patients were treated with DBS bilateral to the slMFB. Primary outcome
measure was a 50% reduction in Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale …
forebrain bundle (slMFB) in treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is associated with acute
antidepressant effects. Objective Long-term clinical effects including changes in quality of
life, side effects and cognition as well as long-term data covering four years are assessed.
Methods Eight TRD patients were treated with DBS bilateral to the slMFB. Primary outcome
measure was a 50% reduction in Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale …
Background
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the supero-lateral branch of the medial forebrain bundle (slMFB) in treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is associated with acute antidepressant effects.
Objective
Long-term clinical effects including changes in quality of life, side effects and cognition as well as long-term data covering four years are assessed.
Methods
Eight TRD patients were treated with DBS bilateral to the slMFB. Primary outcome measure was a 50% reduction in Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) (response) and remission (MADRS <10) at 12 months compared to baseline. Secondary measures were anxiety, general functioning, quality of life, safety and cognition assessed for 4 years. Data is reported as conventional endpoint-analysis and as area under the curve (AUC) timeline analysis.
Results
Six of eight patients (75%) were responders at 12 months, four patients reached remission. Long-term results revealed a stable effect up to four years. Antidepressant efficacy was also reflected in the global assessment of functioning. Main side effect was strabismus at higher stimulation currents. No change in cognition was identified. AUC analysis revealed a significant reduction in depression for 7/8 patients in most months.
Conclusions
Long-term results of slMFB-DBS suggest acute and sustained antidepressant effect; timeline analysis may be an alternative method reflecting patient's overall gain throughout the study. Being able to induce a rapid and robust antidepressant effect even in a small, sample of TRD patients without significant psychiatric comorbidity, render the slMFB an attractive target for future studies.
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