In order to deliver electrical (deep) brain stimulation therapy, neurostimulators are used. These are implanted inside the body by a neurosurgeon and used to deliver electrical pulses in safe and controled way. The pulses will block unwanted brain activity associated with neural disorders which will result in improving quality of life for patients.
DBS is currently used to treat many neurological movement and affective disorders like Parkinson’s disease, tremor, dystonia and chronic pain.
However, a recent study, published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, shows that DBS can be used safely and effectively to treat depression. After two years of active stimulation, the succes rate achieved was 92%, which is very high. After stopping the treatment there was no spontaneous relapse.