Deep Brain Stimulation for the Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Michael Giffin, Martijn Figee, Damiaan Denys

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterAcademicpeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic psychiatric condition characterized by invasive thoughts, repetitive compulsions, ritualistic behaviours and intense anxiety. Based on the efficacy of anterior capsulotomy for OCD, high-frequency deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the same target was expected to improve OCD by producing a functional and reversible lesion. Subsequently, with growing functional data regarding the neuroanatomical correlates of OCD, other targets within the orbitofronto-striato-thalamo-cortical (CSTC) network were explored. Following the first positive results of DBS in the original anterior capsule target (anterior limb of the internal capsule), targeting shifted more towards the ventral capsule/ventral striatum and nucleus accumbens. The subthalamic nucleus (STN) was tried after positive results on obsessive-compulsive symptoms from STN DBS in patients with Parkinson's disease and comorbid OCD. The chapter also discusses DBS in other nodes of CSTC network, that is, the inferior thalamic peduncle or globus pallidus interna.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationNeuromodulation in Psychiatry
PublisherWiley-Blackwell
Pages295-307
Number of pages13
ISBN (Electronic)9781118801086
ISBN (Print)9781118801048
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 5 Mar 2016

Keywords

  • Anterior limb of internal capsule
  • Anteromedial globus pallidus internus
  • Deep brain stimulation
  • Nucleus accumbens
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • Subthalamic nucleus
  • Ventral capsule
  • Ventral striatum

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