Brain-Connected Pacemaker Offers Promising Treatment For Depression

brain-connected pacemaker offers promising treatment for depression

A significant advancement in mental health has emerged with brain pacemakers helping in combating depression. Emily Hollenbeck’s life was heavily impacted by persistent and severe depression, a condition she compares to being trapped in a gravitational pull similar to a black hole. Her desperation for relief led her to consider a radical solution; undergoing deep brain stimulation (DBS).

DBS is an experimental therapy involving the implantation of electrodes in her brain. Despite initial apprehension, Hollenbeck saw it as a last resort after exhausting conventional treatments, particularly because of her family history as both her parents died by suicide.

DBS is already approved for conditions like Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy and holds promise for the millions who, like Hollenbeck, find little relief from traditional therapies. The treatment involves delivering targeted electrical impulses to specific areas of the brain, similar to a pacemaker for the brain.

While early research showed promise, setbacks and skepticism followed, with large studies failing to demonstrate significant advantages over conventional treatments. Hollenbeck’s journey with DBS began with a surgical procedure where electrodes were implanted in her brain, specifically targeting the subcallosal cingulate cortex, a region associated with emotional regulation.

Hollenbeck, who is part of ongoing research at Mount Sinai West said, “At first I was blown away because the concept of it seems so intense. Like, it’s brain surgery. You have wires embedded in your brain. But I also felt like at that point I tried everything, and I was desperate for an answer.”

Connected to a device in her chest, the electrodes delivered continuous electrical stimulation, which she described as similar to “continuous Prozac.” Remarkably, she noticed an almost immediate improvement in her mood, finding joy in activities that had previously felt unbearable.

Hollenbeck’s psychiatrist, Dr. Martijn Figee said, “The first day after surgery, she started feeling a lifting of that negative mood, of the heaviness. I remember her telling me that she was able to enjoy Vietnamese takeout for the first time in years and really taste the food. She started to decorate her home, which had been completely empty since she moved to New York.”

Despite the success stories, there remains doubts among some experts, citing potential complications and uncertainties regarding the exact mechanisms behind depression. However, ongoing research aims to personalise treatment approaches, utilizing advanced imaging techniques to find optimal electrode placement.

For Hollenbeck, DBS hasn’t been a solution, but it has provided significant relief alongside traditional medication and therapy. She participates in ongoing research, providing valuable data to track her progress and refine treatment protocols.

As research continues and newer technologies emerge, the hope is to refine DBS therapy further and expand its accessibility to those in dire need. Hollenbeck’s story serves as a beacon of hope for those battling treatment-resistant depression.

Hollenbeck says, “The stress is pretty extreme at times, but I’m able to see and remember, even on a bodily level, that I’m going to be OK.

“If I hadn’t had DBS, I’m pretty sure I would not be alive today.”