Obsessive-compulsive disorder: development of demand-controlled deep brain stimulation with methods from stochastic phase resetting

Neuropsychopharmacology. 2003 Jul:28 Suppl 1:S27-34. doi: 10.1038/sj.npp.1300144.

Abstract

Synchronization of neuronal firing is a hallmark of several neurological diseases. Recently, stimulation techniques have been developed which make it possible to desynchronize oscillatory neuronal activity in a mild and effective way, without suppressing the neurons' firing. As yet, these techniques are being used to establish demand-controlled deep brain stimulation (DBS) techniques for the therapy of movement disorders like severe Parkinson's disease or essential tremor. We here present a first conceptualization suggesting that the nucleus accumbens is a promising target for the standard, that is, permanent high-frequency, DBS in patients with severe and chronic obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In addition, we explain how demand-controlled DBS techniques may be applied to the therapy of OCD in those cases that are refractory to behavioral therapies and pharmacological treatment.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Electric Stimulation Therapy / instrumentation
  • Electric Stimulation Therapy / methods*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neurons / physiology
  • Nucleus Accumbens / physiology*
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / physiopathology
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / therapy*
  • Self Care / instrumentation
  • Self Care / methods*
  • Stochastic Processes