The first placebo-controlled trial of deep brain stimulation in patients with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder and bipolar II disorder has yielded encouraging findings. In 12 patients who received chronic stimulation of the subcallosal cingulate white matter over 2 years, 92% showed a clinical improvement and 58% were in remission. Spontaneous relapses from remission did not occur. Moreover, the approach seemed to be safe for long-term use and was not associated with manic symptoms, as has been reported for DBS of other brain regions.