Brain Radio' trial hopes to crack code of depression treatment

NCT ID NCT04106466

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Helen Mayberg, MD Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests a special deep brain stimulation (DBS) device that can both stimulate and record brain activity in people with treatment-resistant depression. Ten participants will have electrodes implanted in a brain region called the subcallosal cingulate. The goal is to identify brain signals that correlate with mood improvement, which could help doctors fine-tune DBS therapy in the future. Participants will track their mood and brain data daily for the first year, with a brief period where the device is turned off to study changes.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) device
What this could lead to: If successful, this could lead to better ways to personalize DBS settings for depression, improving response rates and reducing trial-and-error adjustments.
What could go wrong: This is a very small, early-stage study (10 people) focused on understanding brain signals, not proving a treatment works. The device requires brain surgery, which carries risks like infection or bleeding.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Depression Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant major depressive disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER TREATMENT RESISTANT DEPRESSION

Contacts and locations

Locations

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Mount Sinai West

New York, New York, 10019, United States

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