Skip to main content

Evidence to Improve Care

Deep Brain Stimulation for Treatment-Resistant Depression


Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee Recommendations

  • The Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee is unable to recommend the use of deep brain stimulation for treatment-resistant depression at this time because:

    • The device is not licensed in Canada for treatment-resistant depression.

    • The evidence suggests a beneficial effect of deep brain stimulation in treatment-resistant depression; however, this conclusion is based on very low quality of evidence.

  • If Health Canada licenses the product for treatment-resistant depression in Canada, the Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee will consider reviewing the technology again, if requested to do so.

Read the full OHTAC Recommendation report



Depression is a serious problem. More than 1 in 10 Canadians report having symptoms of depression over their lifetime. Depression is usually treated with drugs or counselling, but sometimes treatment doesn’t work as well as it should.


Health Quality Ontario Reviews Deep Brain Stimulation for Treatment-Resistant Depression

Deep brain stimulation delivers small electrical pulses to certain parts of the brain. A surgeon put tiny electrodes in the patient’s brain, and then connects them to a small transmitter that gets implanted just below the patient’s collarbone.


Deep Brain Stimulation for Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Preliminary Evidence Review (PDF)
August 2013


Use of this site, and the interpretation of the information contained here, is subject to important terms and conditions. Use of this site and information except in accordance with these terms and conditions is expressly prohibited.


The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has accepted this recommendation.

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has provided the following response: The Ministry has no current plans to fund this treatment for this purpose.




Let’s make our health system healthier

Join Our Patient, Family and Public Advisors Program

Patients, families and the public are central to improving health quality.


Man smiling

Sign up for our newsletter

Are you passionate about quality health care for all Ontarians? Stay in-the-know about our newest programs, reports and news.

Health Quality Connect - Health Quality Ontario's newsletter - on an iPad and a cell phone