Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 29, 2026
11:17
Protocol for Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation with Symptom Provocation to Treat Obsessive-compulsive Disorder
Published on: November 25, 2025
740
Circuit-based neuromodulation for obsessive-compulsive disorder: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and
Ruoyu Ma1, Shu Wang1, Zixiao Yin1
1Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100070, China.
Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience : JPN
|March 27, 2026
Summary
Neuromodulation significantly reduces obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms, with fronto-limbic circuit targeting showing the most consistent benefits. Further research is needed to optimize these promising treatments for refractory OCD.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Medical Technology
Background:
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is often resistant to standard treatments.
- Neuromodulation offers a potential alternative, but optimal targets are unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and meta-analyze neuromodulation efficacy for OCD.
- To assess treatments using a circuit-based framework.
- To guide clinical practice for treatment-refractory OCD.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of 27 randomized controlled trials (868 patients).
- Searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library up to December 2023.
- Assessed symptom outcomes using Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS).
Main Results:
- Neuromodulation significantly reduced OCD symptoms compared to controls.
- Targeting the fronto-limbic circuit, especially with deep brain stimulation, yielded the greatest Y-BOCS improvements.
- Invasive neuromodulation was more effective than non-invasive methods.
Conclusions:
- Circuit-based neuromodulation, particularly targeting the fronto-limbic circuit, shows promise for treatment-refractory OCD.
- Larger, longer-term trials are necessary to refine individualized neuromodulation strategies.
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