Deep Brain Stimulation for mental disorders

The idea that deep brain stimulation could become useful in the treatment of a variety of drug-resistant mental disorders is nothing new. Until now it has been mainly used for the treatment of extrapyramidal and cerebellar disorders such as ataxia and Parkinson's . The American Association of Neurosurgeons (AANS), is studying and evaluating deep brain stimulation (DBS) point useful for the treatment of severe drug-resistant depressions and obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD).

From the Medtronic statement: The data represent the largest and longest running clinical experience with DBS in psychiatric disorders and were collected through collaborative research from several institutions and associations. All of the studies presented use the Medtronic DBS system to stimulate a target within the brain: the postcentral gyrus internal capsule, which is a central node in the neural circuits that regulate mood and anxiety. The data presented on 43 patients are the result of more than 10 years of work. These data represent the largest number and longest evaluation in patients with psychiatric disorders who have undergone DBS implant, with very long follow-up: Dr Rezai, who represented the international working group of physicians studying the DBS as a therapy for neuropsychiatric treatment, he said: "While treatment with DBS in OCD and depressive syndromes requires further clinical evaluation, the experience thus far is encouraging and indicates that DBS can help severely disabled and suffering patients who have ran out of other treatment options." [via medgadget ]