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. Precise dose delivery of radiation to the predetermined targets in the brain will be accomplished with known Cyberknife stereotactive 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 stereotactive 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.

Main objective: To determine the safety of Radiosurgical Neuromodulation (RSN) for Refractory Depression using X-rays in a population of subjects with severe treatment resistant bipolar depression over a 12-month observational period post treatment. While almost any radiosurgical device could be used, the research team has extensive experience with the Accuray CyberKnife System, K011024, and it will be used for planning and delivery of the 6MV X-ray treatment for this study.

Participation will be dependent upon subjects having a diagnosis of bipolar depression and meeting criteria for treatment resistance. Treatment resistance will be defined as a failure to show clinical improvement after at least four different medication trials and/or one course of ECT during the current episode. A medication trial is defined as an adequate dose and duration of one of four classes of psychoactive medications: lithium, anticonvulsant mood stabilizers, atypical antipsychotic mood stabilizers, and/or antidepressant medications. One course of ECT is defined as receiving six acute treatments. The study will include subjects who have failed ECT, or have had intolerable side effects to ECT, or elected not to receive such treatment due to stigma, or concern over possible side effects of the ECT treatment itself. The subjects enrolled will have exhausted all reasonable treatment strategies, and currently have no other reasonable or viable treatment options for their illness.

Secondary objective: To examine clinical outcome initially over 3 months, then with follow up at 6, 9 and 12 months. Depression will be assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) 24 item, while manic symptoms will be measured by using the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), and the Clinical Global Impression of Severity of illness (CGI-S), and Improvement (CGI-I). A battery of neuropsychological tests will be administered as well, assessing memory with the California Verbal Learning Task (CVLT), prefrontal function using a DKEFS battery including the DKEFS Sorting task, DKEFS Trails task, DKEFS color-word interference task, and the DKEFS verbal fluency task. In addition, the investigators will request information regarding any possible adverse events that occur during this trial.

The intended use for the CyberKnife System, the radiosurgical device being used in this research study, is to administer radiomodulaton to the cingulate cortex target Cg25 in patients with refractory bipolar depression.

Inclusion Criteria:

In order to be eligible to participate, all patients must meet the following criteria:

• Men and women 22-65 years of age
• Primary diagnosis of bipolar depression, as per DSM IV-TR criteria
• The current major depressive episode has been for at least one year
• HDRS-24 item greater than or equal to 20
• Negative urine pregnancy in female subjects
• No current psychotic symptoms
• No comorbid post traumatic stress disorder, the inclusion of subjects with other psychiatric comorbidity will be determined by the investigator prior to enrollment
• No personality disorder that in the opinion of the investigator may compromise the subjects ability to participate and be compliant with the elements and procedures of the study
• No substance abuse of dependence in the last 6 months
• A negative urine drug screen
• On a stable dose of their current medication regimen for four weeks
• Treatment resistance: A history of failure to show clinical improvement after at least four different medication trials of adequate duration and dose and one course of ECT. A course of ECT is not mandatory for those who have declined the procedure due to stigma, patient preference, or intolerance. One course of ECT is defined as receiving six acute treatments. (Note: the Antidepressant Treatment History Form (ATHF) does not apply to bipolar depression where mood stabilizers are the treatments of choice in the first three steps in an algorithm to treat bipolar depression)
• No available reasonable treatment options at the time of enrollment
• Competent to understand the risks and potential benefits of the study
• Able to provide written informed consent for the full screening phase, as well as the treatment period of the protocol, including the baseline MRI, CT and PET imaging
• Signed consent form for participation in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

Patients who meet the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this research study:

• Rapid cycling bipolar illness
• History of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or psychosis
• Severe suicidal thoughts that may put the subject at risk of either an attempted suicide or completed suicide for the duration of the trial, as determined by the investigator at the time of enrollment
• Current substance abuse or in the process of withdrawal from mind-altering substances including alcohol, stimulants, or sedatives
• Undisclosed or undiagnosed unstable medical or neurologic illness including stroke, significant brain malformation, brain mass
• Previous whole-brain radiation
• Brain-implanted devices such as deep brain stimulation leads, aneurysm clips
• A history of seizure disorder
• History of moderate to severe brain injury
• Current treatment with either metronidazole or cisplatinum and an inability to discontinue prior to RSN
• Pregnancy or breast feeding
• Unstable medical illness
• Current participation in another investigational trial or participation within 30 days of enrollment