Ultrasound applications in the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD): A systematic review of techniques and therapeutic potentials in clinical trials and animal model studies
Abstract
Objective Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a debilitating condition that inflicts significant personal and economic burdens and affects around 8% of the US population. Approximately 30% of patients with MDD do not respond to conventional antidepressant and psychotherapeutic treatments. Current treatment options for refractory MDD include transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and invasive surgical procedures such as surgical ablation, vagus nerve stimulation, and deep brain stimulation. In this context, therapeutic ultrasound emerges as a promising alternative for treating refractory MDD, which has the unique advantage of combining non-invasiveness with selective targeting. Over the past 10 years, there has been a growth in focused ultrasound research, leading to an exponential increase in interest in the technology. To support the future development of ultrasound for treating MDD, we conducted a systematic review following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Materials and Methods We identified 86 relevant studies from 1975 through June 2025. Our inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed prospective cohort studies, case-control studies, and randomized controlled trials that report ultrasound efficacy for treating depression in humans or depressive-like behaviors in animal models (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42024626093). 23 studies met all inclusion criteria. We summarized ultrasonic techniques for treating depression…
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Evidence Hub reads this as a systematic review, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid.
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