Deep brain stimulation in the obsessive-compulsive syndrome

Abstract

Abstract Introduction The authors present an overview of current views on the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder refractory to pharmacological and psychological treatment. Aim: To review the mechanisms of stimulation of deep brain structures and to evaluate the effectiveness of therapy in obsessive-compulsive disorder. Method: Review and analysis of the Polish and foreign scientific articles from the years 1999-2016. Conclusions: According to the literature considered, in half of the examined patients there was an improvement of over 35% on the Y-BOCS scale, in some patients even a reduction of symptoms reaching 81-83% was described. Previous studies have been carried out on small groups of patients. Since 2009, the method of invasive treatment with deep brain stimulation of the obsessive-compulsive syndrome is registered in the EU. In spite of the above, additional studies are necessary on a larger group of patients in order to precisely estimate the effectiveness of the procedure and elaborate the criteria for qualifying patients for inclusion in the procedure.