Deep Brain Stimulation in the Bed Nucleus of Stria Terminalis in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder—1-Year Follow-up

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is under investigation as a treatment for therapy-refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). As crucial part of the anxiety circuit, bed nucleus stria terminalis (BNST) has been proposed target DBS in OCD. Here, we investigate clinical outcomes and safety BNST series 11 participants with severe Eleven consecutive diagnosed refractory OCD were treated completed follow-up. The primary outcome was change scores Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (YBOCS) at 1 year after surgery. Secondary included changes Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating (MADRS) Global Assessment Functioning. At baseline, mean ± SD YBOCS score 33 3.0, MADRS 29 4.5, GAF 49 5.4. One DBS, 20 4.8 (38% improvement (range 10%?60%) P < 0.01), 21 5.8 (27% improvement, range 4%?74%, Functioning 55 6.5 (12% 4%?29%, 0.05). Of participants, 6 considered responders (decrease ?35%) 4 partial 25%?34%). Surgical adverse events case skin infection leading to reimplantation. most common transient stimulation-related side effects insomnia. promising therapy Our results are line previous publications regarding effect profile. Nevertheless, remains an investigational should therefore be performed multidisciplinary studies.