[Obsessive compulsive disorder and deep brain stimulation, a future so close]

The obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder with a high prevalence (2‑3 %), frequently causing a disabling condition. Drug and psychotherapeutic treatment is generally effective. However about 1/3 of the patients are treatment-resistant, suffering from chronic psychological distress with important sociofunctional repercussions. The identification of dysfunctional neural networks in this disease opens the door to the use of neuromodulation techniques, as deep brain stimulation (DBS). We discuss the clinical results of subthalamic nucleus DBS and the involvement of this nucleus in the pathophysiology of OCD. We emphasize the importance to confirm these results with a larger number of patients and to determine the benefits regarding the quality of life of implanted patients.