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Updated: May 17, 2026
MRI-guided dmPFC-rTMS as a Treatment for Treatment-resistant Major Depressive Disorder
Published on: August 11, 2015
Deep brain stimulation for treatment-resistant depression
Alexander S Taghva1, Donald A Malone, Ali R Rezai
1Department of Neurological Surgery, Center for Neuromodulation, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA; Orange County Neurosurgical Associates, Mission Viejo, California, USA.
Background:
Major depressive disorder is a common and disabling illness and is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Despite aggressive medical, behavioral, and electroconvulsive therapies, a significant number of patients remain refractory to treatment. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has proven efficacy in neurobehavioral disorders and, in a general sense, works by modulation of corticostriatopallidothalamocortical circuits implicated in these disorders.
Methods:
Current data, treatment rationales, and future directions are presented.
Results:
The two targets most commonly used for DBS in treatment-resistant depression are the subgenual cingulate gyrus and the ventral capsule/ventral striatum. Data on DBS of these regions are preliminary, with promise shown in early studies.
Conclusions:
Early work suggests DBS may become a therapeutic option in treatment-resistant depression. Further study is justified given the immense burden of disease.
