Frontal theta cordance predicts 6-month antidepressant response to subcallosal cingulate deep brain stimulation for treatment-resistant depression: a pilot study

Neuropsychopharmacology. 2012 Jun;37(7):1764-72. doi: 10.1038/npp.2012.23. Epub 2012 Mar 14.

Abstract

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of subcallosal cingulate white matter (SCC) may be an effective approach for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) that otherwise fails to respond to more conventional therapies, but DBS is invasive, costly, and has potential for adverse effects. Therefore, it is important to identify potential biomarkers for predicting antidepressant response before intervention. Resting-state EEG was recorded from 12 TRD patients at pre-treatment baseline, after 4 weeks SCC DBS, and after 24 weeks SCC DBS. Lower frontal theta cordance (FTC) at baseline (and higher FTC after 4 weeks) predicted lower depression severity scores after 24 weeks. Greater FTC increases (baseline-4 weeks) predicted greater decreases in depression severity scores subsequently (4-24 weeks) and over the course of the study (baseline-24 weeks). Predictive relationships were topographically specific to theta cordance for frontal electrodes. Thus, results from this pilot study suggest that baseline FTC and changes early in treatment each have utility as biomarkers for predicting 6-month clinical response to SCC DBS for TRD.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Deep Brain Stimulation*
  • Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant / drug therapy
  • Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant / physiopathology*
  • Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant / therapy*
  • Female
  • Frontal Lobe / physiopathology*
  • Gyrus Cinguli / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pilot Projects
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents