Story perspectives

DBS Rewires White Matter, Boosts Depression Recovery in Monkeys

6/2/2026

Summary

Story summary

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai researchers reported on June 1 that deep brain stimulation rewires white-matter pathways and improves depression in macaques.
They stimulated white-matter near the subcallosal anterior cingulate cortex and raised fractional anisotropy in the cingulum bundle.
The treatment increased myelinated oligodendrocytes, overall myelination, and altered default-mode network connectivity.
Findings are guiding refined DBS and non-invasive therapies now entering NIH-funded human trials.

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Story summary

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai researchers reported on June 1 that deep brain stimulation rewires white-matter pathways and improves depression in macaques.
They stimulated white-matter near the subcallosal anterior cingulate cortex and raised fractional anisotropy in the cingulum bundle.
The treatment increased myelinated oligodendrocytes, overall myelination, and altered default-mode network connectivity.
Findings are guiding refined DBS and non-invasive therapies now entering NIH-funded human trials.