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Deep brain stimulation for neurologic and neuropsychiatric disorders
Thomas Wichmann1, Mahlon R Delong
1Department of Neurology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA.
Neuron
|October 4, 2006
Summary
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has resurged for movement and psychiatric disorders, offering a reversible alternative to older ablative surgeries. This technique leverages improved understanding of brain circuitry for treating conditions like Parkinson's disease and OCD.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Ablative stereotactic surgery was historically used for movement and psychiatric disorders but declined due to drug efficacy and ethical concerns.
- Advances in understanding brain circuitry and its abnormalities have driven a resurgence in neuromodulation techniques.
Observation:
- Deep brain stimulation (DBS) emerged in the 1990s as a less invasive, reversible, and adjustable treatment for tremor.
- DBS targets specific brain circuits implicated in neurological and psychiatric conditions.
Findings:
- High-frequency electrical stimulation is the primary modality for DBS.
- DBS has demonstrated efficacy in treating a growing range of movement disorders, including Parkinson's disease.
- The technique is increasingly applied to neuropsychiatric conditions such as obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Implications:
- DBS represents a significant advancement in the therapeutic landscape for complex brain disorders.
- The reversibility and adjustability of DBS offer advantages over historical ablative procedures.
- Continued research into brain circuitry promises further expansion of DBS applications.
