The human nucleus accumbens as a target for deep brain stimulation: anatomic study of electrode's target point and stereotactic coordinates

Abstract

Introduction: The nucleus accumbens (NA), a "pleasure center", is the most inferior part of the ventral striatum. NA, related to the limbic and extrapyramidal motor system, is involved in some of the most common neuropsychiatric disorders. Nowadays it is a target for deep brain stimulation (DBS), in some carefully selected patients. Our purpose was to evaluate the accuracy of its position within the NA, in relation to the stereotactic target point that is today used.

Methods and materials: We identified, studying 25 cerebral hemispheres, the target point of the NA DBS electrode, at a specific level that is important for its imaging. We also identified the stereotactic coordinates of the NA and made a statistical analysis and comparisons.

Results: We found that in 3 out of 25 cases, the used stereotactic coordinates fail to offer a target point within the limits of the NA.

Discussion: We present the first stereotactic anatomic study evaluating the precise position where the electrode for human NA DBS is to be placed and the only anatomic study of the human NA performed on such a large number of cases. The stereotactic coordinates used for NA DBS are accurate. However, we suggest that the electrode's final position should be considered to be slightly less deep.