Longitudinal Changes in Cortical Response Dynamics with Deep Brain Stimulation to the Subcallosal Cingulate for
Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|December 11, 2025
Summary
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) for depression shows improved brain signal speed and strength over time. White matter integrity predicts these changes, offering new biomarkers for treatment optimization.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomarkers
- Neuromodulation
Background:
- Treatment-resistant depression lacks objective recovery biomarkers.
- Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subcallosal cingulate cortex (SCC) shows promise.
- Understanding SCC-DBS circuit dynamics is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate longitudinal changes in stimulation-evoked potentials (SEPs) during SCC-DBS.
- To identify biomarkers reflecting SCC-driven cortical communication.
- To correlate SEP dynamics with clinical outcomes and white matter integrity.
Main Methods:
- High-density EEG recordings in 10 patients undergoing SCC-DBS at 4 and 24 weeks.
- Source localization of SEPs from SCC signals.
- Analysis of SEP latency and magnitude.
- Correlation with clinical outcomes and fractional anisotropy (FA) of the midcingulate cingulum.
Main Results:
- Cortical responses demonstrated reduced latency and increased magnitude over time with chronic stimulation.
- Faster and stronger electrocortical signaling was observed.
- Higher baseline midcingulate FA predicted greater SEP latency acceleration.
- SEP temporal dynamics reflect circuit engagement.
Conclusions:
- Temporal SEP dynamics are candidate mechanistic biomarkers for SCC-DBS.
- These biomarkers reflect evolving circuit engagement during neuromodulation.
- Findings support physiology-guided optimization of DBS for depression.
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