Deep brain stimulation for psychiatric disorders: Is there an impact on social functioning?

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Neurosurgery

Background:

• Deep brain stimulation (DBS) offers promising symptom reduction for refractory psychiatric disorders.
• The impact of DBS on social outcomes in these patients remains largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the existing literature on the effects of DBS on social functioning in patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD), Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome (GTS), and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

Main Methods:

• A systematic PubMed search was conducted for original studies on DBS for TRD, GTS, and OCD.
• Data pertaining to social outcome following DBS surgery were extracted and analyzed.

Main Results:

• Social functioning was not consistently reported as a primary outcome in the reviewed studies.
• Current literature provides incomplete and inconclusive evidence regarding DBS's effect on social functioning.
• Preliminary data suggest a potential for DBS to enhance social functioning in psychiatric patients.

Conclusions:

• There is a need for more systematic and detailed data collection on social outcomes in DBS studies.
• Longer follow-up periods are crucial for a comprehensive evaluation of DBS's role in improving social functioning for refractory psychiatric disorders.