The PReSiDio or "Closed-Loop Deep Brain Stimulation for Treatment Resistant Depression" study is a pioneering effort in the field of neuromodulation for mental health. It aims to explore the efficacy of closed-loop deep brain stimulation (DBS) in individuals suffering from major depression who have not responded to traditional treatments.
The study will utilize the NeuroPace RNS® System, a technology originally designed for epilepsy, to deliver targeted electrical stimulation to specific brain regions implicated in depression. By modulating neural activity in these areas, researchers aim to understand and potentially alleviate depressive symptoms.
Unlike traditional deep brain stimulation, which delivers constant or scheduled stimulation, closed-loop stimulation is dynamic and responsive. It monitors brain activity in real time and adjusts the stimulation based on specific neural patterns. This approach aims to provide more personalized and potentially more effective treatment, as the stimulation can be fine-tuned to the individual's unique neural activity associated with depression. This could lead to significant advances in how treatment-resistant depression is managed.
Funding for the study comes the Ray and Dagmar Dolby Family Fund, the 1907 Research Trailblazer Award, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), and the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Young Investigator Grant.