Invasive brain mapping identifies personalized therapeutic neuromodulation targets that suppress OCD network activity

Deep brain stimulation has been used to treat severe, refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) with variable outcomes across multiple anatomical targets. To overcome these limitations, we developed an invasive brain mapping paradigm in which electrodes were implanted across the OCD cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical circuit. We then performed extensive stimulation mapping during a multi-day inpatient stay to identify personalized therapeutic targets and characterize their downstream circuit effects. We found two targets within the right ventral capsule (VC) that acutely reduced OCD symptoms. Prolonged VC stimulation suppressed high frequency activity within the structurally and functionally connected orbitofrontal and cingulate cortex, which were identified to be cortical nodes encoding the severity of OCD symptoms. These VC sites were implanted for DBS and combined stimulation of these targets led to a rapid therapeutic response. This case provides the first proof-of-concept that invasive brain mapping can be used to guide a novel personalized, multi-site neuromodulation approach to treat refractory OCD.