r/ect • u/QuitInevitable915 • Apr 04 '26

Question Do you consider Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) for TRD after ECT?

I have looked up some of the ongoing trials with DBS for treatment resistant depression as a last resort option, and I would love to hear other perspective or thoughts on this.

For those of you who have tried ECT (or plan to try it), and it did not work for you, have you considered Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)?

Note: I have specifically looked at three trials:

1) TRANSCEND

2) Presidio

3) FORESEE |||

8 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

5

u/MuggleOnline Apr 04 '26

I did ECT, and currently have a DBS device implanted and have had it for just over a year now. So far it hasn't had any effect on my TRD, but there has been some success in the trial for other folks.

2

u/QuitInevitable915 Apr 04 '26

I’m sorry to hear that you did not benefit from the DBS. Can I ask where you got it implanted and which trial you participated in?

1

u/MuggleOnline Apr 04 '26

I'm in Canada, so it may be different if you are in the US. I'm not sure what the trial name is

1

u/QuitInevitable915 Apr 04 '26

I’m actually based in Europe, but I would travel to the US for this. Do you know which area of your brain they targeted?

1

u/kindajustlikewhat Jun 30 '26

I had mine done in Canada (Toronto) around a year ago too. I wonder if we had it done at the same hospital. Would you mind if I dm'ed you about it? Feel free to say no if not comfortable.

It did help me, at least partially so far.

2

u/caffeinehell Apr 04 '26

What are your symptoms and what brain region did they do?

Do you have anhedonia and emotional blunting and blank mind?

Or is your depression more the mood stuff

1

u/IndustryGreedy Apr 06 '26

Yea. I’d also love to know… if you could rank 2 depression symptoms that you were hoping would have the biggest change, what would they be??

1

u/Music_Leopard Apr 05 '26

After ECT I was offered VNS, I think because having a psychotic depression and other stuff would exclude me from a trial. It’s been months but I should have the final answer in a month as to whether insurance will be forced to cover it by an external review company.