Is deep brain stimulation for depression helpful?

For a few pts: People who have this do seem to benefit in the main but this is sort of a last ditch procedure for pts with treatment depressions who have tried mainy other approaches without success.

Very Likely: Dbs is the surgical placement of electrodes on 2 brain sites, which are then stimulated by electric currents. A small study suggests that dbs might be helpful for 60% of people who get treated with it - which is a good result when you are treating treatment refractory cases. Due to its invasiveness meds, transcranial magnetic stimulation (tms), and ECT should probably be considered beforehand.