Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Therapy for Treatment Resistant Depression

February 19, 2026 updated by: Jair Soares, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Therapy for Treatment Resistant

We propose a clinical study of medial forebrain bundle DBS as a treatment in 20 patients with treatment refractory depression (TRD). Data from the University of Bonn indicates that surgical lesions of the medical forebrain bundle can produce therapeutic benefits in patients with depressive disorders, and suggest that DBS at the same site may also reduce symptomatology in these TRD patients (Schaepfer, 2013). Depression affects up to 10% of the US population and of those at least 10-15% do not benefit from therapies hence why we must explore new treatments. The Percept™ PC system manufactured by Medtronic Neurological will be used in this study. Study subjects will be between the ages of 22 and 70 years of age and suffer from TRD, have failed multiple treatment regimens, including ECT, and remain symptomatic. Those identified as TRD patients will then be enrolled in a clinical pilot study investigating DBS, targeting the MFB.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Active, not recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Study Design: Subjects will be ten patients with MDD identified via the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV, manifesting a current major depressive episode of disabling severity, refractory to prolonged treatment trials with conventional medication, electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) and psychotherapy. A marked impact of depression on their health and functional status will be evidenced by major impairment in functioning or potentially severe medical outcomes (repeated hospitalizations, serious suicidal or other self-injurious behavior). They will be recruited from individuals currently seen at our facility or referred by psychiatrists in the community. Patients will be initially screened by a comprehensive review of their psychiatric history, obtained by interview of the patient, family and treating psychiatrist and/or psychologist, as well as by obtaining and reviewing all available records of previous psychiatric treatment. The available generally-accepted alternative treatments for depression are pharmacologic therapy, psychotherapy, and ECT. Failed trials of multiple proven pharmacologic treatments, an adequate course of psychotherapy, and an adequate course of bilateral ECT (or inability to tolerate an adequate ECT trial) are inclusion criteria for all candidates who are considered for this study. However, as alternatives to participation in this study, candidates may undertake additional trials of potentially beneficial novel combinations of medication and psychotherapy, or they may undertake trials of novel interventions lacking definitive evidence of efficacy in severe depression (e.g., light therapy, herbal therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation, vagal nerve stimulation). The protocol was designed to include four phases. All patients will enter these phases in the same sequence. The experimental design is illustrated in the timeline in Figure 1. Surgical implantation will be followed by: 1) Baseline Phase (a 1 month period with no stimulation); 2) Variable Staggered Phase (blinded stimulation onset starting from 1 month to 3 months post implant, with optimal parameter determination during this time ; 3) Initial Chronic Phase (blinded bilateral stimulation, lasting at least three months) (see below); 4) Continuation Phase (unblinded active bilateral or unilateral stimulation to maximize clinical response) Protocol overview and design: We propose a clinical study of medial forebrain bundle DBS as a treatment in 10 patients with treatment refractory depression (TRD). Data from the University of Bonn indicates that surgical lesions of the medical forebrain bundle can produce therapeutic benefits in patients with depressive disorders, and suggest that DBS at the same site may also reduce symptomatology in these TRD patients (Schaepfer, 2013). Depression affects up to 10% of the US population and of those at least 10-15% do not benefit from therapies hence why we must explore new treatments. The Percept™ PC system manufactured by Medtronic Neurological will be used in this study. Those identified as TRD patients will then be enrolled in a clinical pilot study investigating DBS, targeting the MFB.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
16

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Texas
      • Houston, Texas, United States, 77054
        • UT Center of Excellence on Mood Disorders

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

22 years to 70 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Major Depression Disorder (MDD) diagnosed by Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID I/DSM-IV), judged to be of disabling severity.
  2. Age 22 - 70 years.
  3. 24-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) score of at least 21 on the first 17 items
  4. Global Assessment of Function (GAF) score of 45 or less.
  5. A recurrent (equal or >4 episodes) or chronic (episode duration equal or higher >2 years) course AND a minimum of 5 years since the onset of the first depressive episode. Major impairment in functioning or potentially severe medical outcomes (repeated hospitalizations, serious suicidal or other self-injurious behavior).
  6. Failure to respond to: 6.1. Adequate trials (equal or >6 weeks at the maximum recommended or tolerated dose) of primary antidepressants from at least 3 different classes AND; 6.2. adequate trials ( equal>4 weeks at the usually recommended or maximum tolerated dose) of augmentation/combination of a primary antidepressant using at least 2 different augmenting/combination agents (lithium, T3, stimulants, neuroleptics, anticonvulsants, buspirone, or a second primary antidepressant) AND; 6.3 An adequate trial of ECT (>6 bilateral treatments), or inability to tolerate an adequate ECT trial, AND; 6.4 An adequate trial of individual psychotherapy (>20 sessions with an experienced psychotherapist).
  7. Able to comply with the operational and administrative requirements of participation in the study.
  8. Able to give written informed consent
  9. On a stable drug regimen of psychotropic medication for at least 6 weeks at the time of entry into the study.
  10. Good general health. No changes in medication treatment during participation in study.

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Current or past non-affective psychotic disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, or Schizoaffective disorder. Patients who suffer from generalized anxiety disorder will be permitted to participate as long as MDD is the primary clinical diagnosis.
  2. Any current clinically significant neurological disorder, including dementia or medical illness affecting brain function.
  3. Any clinically significant abnormality on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
  4. Any previous surgery to destroy the region of the brain that will be the target of treatment.
  5. Any surgical contraindications to undergoing DBS, including labeled contraindications for DBS and/or inability to undergo presurgical MRI (cardiac pacemaker, implantable defibrillator or other implantable stimulator, pregnancy, metal in body, severe claustrophobia), infection, coagulopathy, inability to undergo an awake operation, significant cardiac or other medical risk factors for surgery.
  6. Refusal of an adequate trial of ECT.
  7. History of stimulation intolerance in any area of the body.
  8. Current or unstably remitted substance abuse or dependence. No alcohol and/or substance abuse or dependence in the past 6 months.
  9. Pregnancy and women of childbearing age not using effective contraception. Double-barrier method is required.
  10. History of severe personality disorder, where, based on the judgment of the investigators, the personality disorder will interfere with the patient's ability to complete the follow-up protocol, e.g. borderline personality disorder.
  11. Imminent risk of suicide
  12. Participation in another drug, device, or biologics trial within the preceding 30 days
  13. Presence of a condition requiring routine MRIs.
  14. Presence of a condition requiring diathermy.
  15. Subject is on anticoagulant medication.
  16. Not able to comply with the operational and administrative requirements of participation in the study (based on the judgment of the investigators).
  17. Terminal illness associated with expected survival of <12 months.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Deep Brain Stimulation
Device implantation (Deep Brain Stimulation Model 3387 Model 3389)
Device: Deep Brain Stimulation Model 3387 Model 3389
Implantation of all devices will be performed at a single session. Lead implantation will take place under local anesthesia, with implanted pulse generator (IPG) implantation under general anesthesia. The stereotaxic frame will be fitted on the day of surgery, following standard stereotactic surgical procedure. The leads will be inserted so that the stimulation sites span superolateral median forebrain bundle.
Other Names:
  • Medtronic Neuromodulation

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Changes in patients MADRS scores
Time Frame: weekly (24 Months)
We will assess individual patient response, measured by standardized patient and clinician ratings of depression severity, under blinded conditions. Prospective ratings using validated and reliable measures of symptoms, quality of life and safety will be employed. We will assess safety for all subjects by monitoring any adverse events.
weekly (24 Months)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Accuracy of Electrode placement
Time Frame: Post-operation (weekly for 24 months)
We will implant the Model 3387/Model 3389 lead at this target location, with the exact choice of lead to be determined during surgery.
Post-operation (weekly for 24 months)
Frequency and Charge of Stimulation
Time Frame: Weekly (24 months total)
The optimal stimulation parameters for reducing depressive symptoms acutely and chronically are unknown. Preliminary data suggest that psychiatric patients who have responded to DBS have responded at high frequencies and amplitudes that presumably induce a depolarization block or "neuronal jamming," and thus mimic a lesion. We intend to explore the effects of a wide range of frequencies and amplitudes during the acute testing phase and to utilize high frequency continuous stimulation at the lowest amplitude that results in a definitive effect in the chronic phase of the study.
Weekly (24 months total)
Determine Feasibility of a Double Blind Study
Time Frame: 24 months
We hypothesize that it will be possible to develop a suitable double-blind procedure by which neither patients nor physicians will know whether DBS is on or off at any given moment.
24 months
Decrease in Neurocognitive scores on CSTC
Time Frame: pre-operative, 12 month and 24 months post-operation
In this study, neuropsychological tests believed sensitive to changes in Concept Shifting Test-Combined (CSTC) function, and particularly orbitofrontal function, will be obtained with the stimulator on and off, if possible, under blinded conditions. In a separate study, positron emission tomography (PET) perfusion imaging and neuropsychological tests will be obtained to determine how corticobasal brain function changes after acute and chronic DBS.
pre-operative, 12 month and 24 months post-operation
Assess maintenance of treatment response (or remission) associated with chronic DBS:
Time Frame: 6, 12, and 24 months
Maintaining Treatment Response
6, 12, and 24 months
Number of Adverse Events
Time Frame: 24 months (reported weekly)
24 months (reported weekly)

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
Medtronic

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Jair C Soares, MD, PhD, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
  • Study Director: Joao Quevedo, MD, PhD, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
  • Study Director: Giovana Zunta Soares, MD, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
December 16, 2013

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
April 1, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
April 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
December 17, 2013

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
January 23, 2014

First Posted (Estimated)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
January 27, 2014

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
February 23, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
February 19, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • HSC-MS-13-0004

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