MUMBAI: Neurosurgeon Dr Paresh Doshi of Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai cured depression through brain surgery. An Australian woman (38) who was suffering from depression for years underwent the surgery.

This is the first psychiatric surgery to be performed in India after the new Mental Health Act was passed in 2017. Dr. Paresh Doshi performed three depression surgeries at Jaslok before the Act came into force, all of which were successful. Two of them were performed on Australians. The 38-year-old patient arrived based on the information provided by them. The surgery was on May 28 and she returned on Friday. Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery (DBS) is not allowed in Australia. The patient was an occupational therapist and has not gone to work for seven years due to illness. 20 types of anti-depressant pills were taken alternately by her. Five high doses were also taken. Electroconvulsive therapy, cognitive therapy, and behavioral therapy also did not work.

Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery

Electrodes are placed inside the brain to stimulate the brain and restore normal function. The surgery is done without sedating the patient. This is to record the response of the brain when the electrodes are placed.

The new law

For psychiatric surgery (psycho surgery) the permission of the Mental Health Board which is specially formed in the respective state is required. The hospital's medical board was sufficient earlier. It took ten months for the Australian woman to get permission. Depression surgeries have been done in the past in Karnataka as well.

The patient's anxiety was significantly reduced after surgery. Mood improved. It will take a few months to heal

-Dr. Paresh Doshi

Not proven

Deep brain stimulation has not been proven effective for depression anywhere, including in the developed world. There are different opinions about the treatment method which costs lakhs. There needs to be more detailed studies and discussions about deep brain stimulation.

Dr. Anil Prabhakaran.

Former Head of Department of Psychiatry

Thiruvananthapuram Medical College