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Deep brain stimulation electrode insertion and depression: Patterns of activity and modulation by analgesics
L Perez-Caballero1, M L Soto-Montenegro2, M Hidalgo-Figueroa1
1Neuropsychopharmacology & Psychobiology Research Group, Area of Psychobiology, Department of Psychology, University of Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain; Instituto de Investigación e Innovación en Ciencias Biomédicas de Cádiz (INiBICA), Spain; CIBER of Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Spain.
Brain Stimulation
|July 14, 2018
Summary
Electrode insertion into the brain temporarily reduces depression symptoms. Anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen block this effect, while non-inflammatory painkillers do not, suggesting inflammation plays a role in the antidepressant response.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subcallosal cingulate cortex (Cg25) shows initial antidepressant effects in treatment-resistant depression.
- Electrode insertion into the rodent correlate (infralimbic cortex, ILC) causes a temporary antidepressant-like effect.
- This effect is counteracted by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the effects of electrode insertion using functional neuroimaging.
- To evaluate how different analgesics impact the antidepressant-like effect induced by electrode insertion.
Main Methods:
- Positron emission tomography (PET) assessed electrode insertion effects in the ILC.
- Behavioral tests (forced swimming, novelty suppressed feeding) evaluated analgesic impacts (ibuprofen, tramadol, morphine).
- Molecular changes (GFAP, p11 expression) were measured.
Main Results:
- Electrode implantation induced antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like effects, with local glucose metabolism decrease and altered brain region activity.
- Ibuprofen (NSAID) counteracted behavioral and molecular changes (GFAP, p11).
- Tramadol (non-anti-inflammatory analgesic) did not counteract behavioral or molecular effects.
Conclusions:
- Electrode insertion transiently improves depression and anxiety symptoms.
- Inflammation, modulated by NSAIDs, is implicated in the antidepressant effect of electrode insertion.
- Non-anti-inflammatory analgesics may not impede this transient benefit, potentially shortening remission time in DBS patients.
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