Targeted electrode-based modulation of neural circuits for depression

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Helen S Mayberg, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2009-04-01
• Publisher: American Society for Clinical Investigation
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2009, American Society for Clinical Investigation
• Final Published Version (URL): http://www.jci.org/articles/view/38454
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Journal of Clinical Investigation
• ISSN: 0021-9738
• Volume: 119
• Issue: 4
• Start Page: 717
• End Page: 725
• Grant/Funding Information: Past and current work is supported by grants from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Canadian Institute for Health Research (CIHR), National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD), Dana Foundation, Stanley Medical Research Institute, and the Woodruff Foundation.
• Research Categories: Biology, Neuroscience

Abstract

During the last 20 years of neuroscience research, we have witnessed a fundamental shift in the conceptualization of psychiatric disorders, with the dominant psychological and neurochemical theories of the past now complemented by a growing emphasis on developmental, genetic, molecular, and brain circuit models. Facilitating this evolving paradigm shift has been the growing contribution of functional neuroimaging, which provides a versatile platform to characterize brain circuit dysfunction underlying specific syndromes as well as changes associated with their successful treatment. Discussed here are converging imaging findings that established a rationale for testing a targeted neuromodulation strategy, deep brain stimulation, for treatment-resistant major depression.