"Our findings suggest that opening the carotid artery and restoring blood flow to the brain via a minimally invasive technique under local anesthesia is associated with significant reduction in depressive symptoms," Dr. Mlekusch said. "We were able to demonstrate a clear neuropsychological benefit to patients after carotid stenting."

Dr. Mlekusch believes that stenting has now gained a major advantage over surgical treatment and should be the therapy of choice for stenosis. However, he cautions that while carotid stenting may be able to reduce symptoms associated with vascular depression, it is not a cure or treatment for major depression.

Note: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved reimbursement for carotid stenting only in those patients with focal neurological symptoms corresponding to the side of stenosis.


Radiology is a monthly scientific journal devoted to clinical radiology and allied sciences. The journal is edited by Anthony V. Proto, M.D., School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Va. Radiology is owned and published by the Radiological Society of North America, Inc. (RSNA.org/radiologyjnl)

The Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) is an association of more than 38,000 radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists and related scientists committed to promoting excellence in radiology through education and by fostering research, with the ultimate goal of improving patient care. The Society is based in Oak Brook, Ill. (RSNA.org)
"Is There Improvement of 'Vascular Depression' after Carotid Artery Stenting?" Collaborating with Dr. Mlekusch on this paper were, Irene Mlekusch, Ph.D., Erich Minar, M.D., Markus Haumer, M.D., Christoph W. Kopp, M.D., Ramazanali Ahmadi, M.D., Johannes Lehrner, Ph.D., and Martin Schillinger, M.D.

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