Radiosurgical Neuromodulation for Refractory Depression

This study is designed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of an investigational procedure for treating people with treatment resistant bipolar depression (TRD). Precise dose delivery of radiation to the predetermined targets in the brain will be accomplished with known Cyberknife stereotactic radiosurgery methods. This technology is considered to be noninvasive (does not physically invade your body). We will be studying if the Cyberknife influences the sensitivity of certain nerves of your brain. Although many clinical treatments for psychiatric conditions have been done using stereotactic radiosurgery, the present study is experimental, because we are seeking to use more moderate doses of radiation that are intended not to destroy any brain cells, but to normalize or modulate their function.