Crowell AL, Riva-Posse P, Holtzheimer PE, et al. - Using an open-label, long-term follow-up design, researchers examined participants enrolled in a clinical trial of Deep brain stimulation of the subcallosal cingulate (SCC DBS), a potential treatment for severe and refractory major depressive disorder since 2005. Data of 28 patients (20 with major depressive disorder and seven with bipolar II disorder; one patient in the major depression subgroup was later reclassified as having bipolar II disorder) who received SCC DBS for 4–8 years were obtained. In > 8 years of observation, a robust and sustained antidepressant response to SCC DBS was reported in most participants. The procedure was identified as generally safe and to have well-tolerability; acute or chronic stimulation had no side effects. The rate of medical or surgical complications was consistent with the rate observed in studies of DBS for other indications. No suicides were reported among participants.