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Study Details

Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery for People with Treatment Resistant Depression

(IRB#: IRB_00175654)

This study wants to learn the benefits of surgically implanting a deep brain stimulation (DBS) system to help people with major depressive disorder. People in the study will have had at least 4 other treatments during current depression or throughout the lifetime, but none have fully helped the symptoms of depression. People in the study must first qualify for having brain surgery to implant the DBS system. This is done by attending multiple visits with study psychiatrists and medical exams at the study clinic. Participants that qualify will have the DBS system implanted and temporarily transfer psychiatric care to the study psychiatrist from Huntsman Mental Health Institute for at least 12 months. Being in the study lasts about 36 months. Medical tests will be done during the study to track the health of participants.

I AM INTERESTED

  • All genders
  • Over 18 years old
  • Volunteers with special conditions
  •   In Person
  • Paid

Who can participate?

 Gender: All genders

  Age: Over 18 years old

  Volunteers: Volunteers with special conditions

   Location: In Person

Inclusion Criteria

  • Ages 22 to 70 years old and currently depressed for at least 12 months
  • Tried and failed at least four different types of treatments for depression within 12 months before the first study visit
  • Currently taking antidepressant medications at the same doses for 4 weeks before the first study visit
  • Currently receiving care from a psychiatrist, and willing to transfer the depression management for at least the first 12 months of the study
  • Willing to sign a written release of information to allow the study team to share and receive information with the local psychiatrist

Exclusion Criteria

  • Currently have bipolar disorder
  • Have another psychiatric disorder causing serious functional impairment, along with treatment-resistant depression
  • Not able to have general anesthesia, brain surgery, or MRI scan (for this study a tool used to show an image of inside the brain)
  • Pregnant or planning to become pregnant
  • Have a life-threatening medical illness or a cardiac (heart) pacemaker or other implanted electrical device

Will I be paid for my time?

Yes

For more information contact:

Sarah Kwon

utah.depression.research@gmail.com

  801-829-7382

IRB#: IRB_00175654

PI: Brian Mickey

Department: PSYCHIATRY

Approval Date: 2025-02-19 07:00:00

Study Categories: Brain Health Studies, Mental Health and Well-being Studies

Specialties: Psychiatry

Last Updated: 6/8/23