The first deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery aimed at treating a case of treatment-resistant depression was recently performed in Colombia, marking a turning point in the country’s medical history. The procedure took place at the International Hospital of Colombia in Bucaramanga, where a team led by neurosurgeon William Omar Contreras implanted four electrodes in specific areas of the brain of Lorena Rodríguez, a 34-year-old patient who had been struggling with depression and anxiety for 17 years.
During the surgery, which lasted about six hours, the patient remained awake so doctors could evaluate the real-time effects of electrical stimulation. Thanks to this high-precision technique, specialists were able to identify and modulate the brain areas responsible for her most debilitating symptoms: deep sadness, constant guilt, obsessive negative thinking, and extreme anxiety.
How does the surgery to cure depression work?
The procedure consisted of implanting four brain electrodes connected to a pacemaker-like device placed in the chest. This device, which needs to be recharged at home every three days, can last up to 25 years. Deep brain stimulation works by sending electrical impulses that regulate the neural connections involved in mood disorders, thereby improving functionality and reducing symptoms in patients who have not responded to any conventional treatment.
Rodríguez’s selection as a candidate was no coincidence. Before considering surgery, she had tried at least six different medications, psychological therapies, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and electroconvulsive therapy, all without satisfactory results. In addition, she underwent rigorous evaluations with independent psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, and medical committees that determined the procedure’s suitability.
Mental health in Colombia
According to the Ministry of Health, around 4.7% of the Colombian population approximately 2.4 million people suffer from depression. Of these cases, about 30% do not respond adequately to traditional treatments, a condition known as treatment-resistant depression.
Adding to this is a concerning rise in anxiety disorders. In 2024 alone, there was a 43% increase in anxiety levels among adults, while suicide cases among minors alarmingly rose to 140 deaths in the first quarter of the year. In cities like Bucaramanga, the prevalence of depression in adults can reach 9%, although many experts warn that the real number may be higher due to underreporting and limited access to timely diagnosis.
A hope for the most severe cases
Although deep brain stimulation does not represent a definitive cure for depression, it can become a valuable tool to improve the quality of life for patients who have exhausted all other options, according to Dr. Contreras.
Globally, around 400 such procedures have already been performed, especially in countries like Canada and several European nations. However, this is the first intervention of its kind in Colombia, and also one of the few to use four electrodes, expanding the range of brain structures that can be modulated and, therefore, the variety of symptoms that can be addressed.
The procedure is included in the Mandatory Health Plan and can be covered by the EPS (health insurance entities), although at present, widespread lack of knowledge among doctors and patients limits its accessibility. The most significant results are usually seen between six months and two years after surgery, although some patients report improvements as early as the first week.