Treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders with deep brain stimulation; raising hopes and future challenges

Abstract

The technology of Neural Stimulation in recent years has become the focus of the research and treatment, although it has been around for many years. The potential use of stimulating the brain and nerves ranges from the spinal cord stimulation to the implantations of cochlear and bionic eyes with a large discrepancy between the clinical readiness for these various uses. Electrical high-frequency Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) was developed as an alternative option to treat a few neurological disorders. However, with advancing in surgical procedures, technologies and safeties, the applications of DBS are expanding not only for therapeutic purposes but also for research. Although the exact mechanisms of action/s are not fully understood, the outcome of the ongoing research and clinical trials are promising. DBS has been used to treat the essential tremor since 1997, Parkinson's disease (PD) since 2002 and dystonia since 2003. It has also been used to treat various disorders, including major depression. The therapeutic effect of DBS in PD is well established but for other diseases such as epilepsy the outcomes are unclear and ambiguous. This article is a succinct review of the literature, focusing on PD, epilepsy and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

Keywords: Deep Brain Stimulation; Epilepsy; Obsessive Compulsive Disorder; Parkinson's Disease.