Deep-brain stimulation in treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder: Clinical and molecular neuroimaging correlation

Abstract

Introduction: Obsessive-compulsive disorder is defined by the presence of obsessions and compulsions that cause marked anxiety or distress and has been associated with a disruption in cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical circuitry. After treatment, around 50% of patients continue to experience incapacitating symptoms. Deep-brain stimulation has been shown to be an effective therapeutic alternative to regular treatment.

Methods: Case report.

Case presentation: A 54-year-old woman with a diagnosis of treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder was treated with deep-brain stimulation of the anterior limb of the internal capsule. Molecular imaging before and after the procedure was obtained and correlated with clinical features.

Conclusions: Deep-brain stimulation may be a therapeutic alternative to regular care in treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder and can be correlated to functional changes in suspected anatomical structures.

Keywords: Deep-brain stimulation; Estimulación cerebral profunda; Imagen molecular; Molecular imaging; Obsessive-compulsive disorder; Resistente a tratamiento; Trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo; Treatment-resistant.