Scientists Uncover New Way to Combat OCD
Obsessive compulsive disorder, which is characterised by intrusive thoughts that produce anxiety, apprehension and extreme worrying, is treated using medication or cognitive behavioural therapy. But if none of these works, patients may benefit from the process called brain stimulation, a new study suggests.
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a surgical operation which involves implanting a medical device that sends electrical impulses to targeted areas in the brain. While little is known about it, scientists are beginning to uncover its hidden wonders, particularly in treating various mental health disorders. Currently, DBS is used to treat patients with severe Parkinson’s, and is being tested in clinical trials for major depression.
In the current study published in the journal Nature Neuroscience, Dutch researchers found that DBS has the ability to restore the normal functioning of the nucleus accumbens – the brain network responsible for the motivation and processing of rewards. In people with OCD, activities in this network is disrupted, which triggers patients to engage in pathological behaviours at the cost of the healthy ones, said Dr Martijn Figee, the study lead author, and from the psychiatry department at Academic Medical Centre in Amsterdam.
In one experiment, researchers invited 16 patients with OCD and 13 healthy individuals (to serve as controls) to undergo deep brain stimulation. Electrodes were then implanted in their nucleus accumbens. After, participants went through a task that involved anticipating for a reward. While on it, researchers watched their brain activities through an fMRI scan machine.
Dr Figee and his team were surprised to see a significant improvement in the participants’ OCD symptoms (50%). They also found that the nucleus accumbens, as well as the larger brain network, went back to their normal functioning.
"This may explain why patients with DBS experience very fast changes in a wide array of motivational and behavioural problems," said Dr Figee. He added that their findings are clinically important because they indicate that other disorders that involve network disturbances may also be treated using DBS.
More on OCD
Once considered as a rare condition, more and more people are being diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder. According to experts, this is probably because in the past, OCD was often misdiagnosed not just because of the lack of knowledge among health professionals, but also because of the sufferers’ reluctance to seeking medical help. In the United Kingdom, it is estimated that 1.2% of the population have OCD, which equates to 12 in every 1,000 people. In Australia, prevalence of OCD is quite higher – affecting about 14% of the population.
People with this condition tend develop unreasonable ‘obsessions’ on different things which lead to the development of repetitive behaviours. And the more they try to ignore or stop those intrusive thoughts, the more anxious and stressed they become. For instance, a person with OCD whose compulsive behaviour is centred on the fear of germs may constantly wash his hands until they become swollen and chapped.
OCD is a debilitating mental disorder that needs immediate treatment. Or else, the sufferer may end up harming himself physically and emotionally.
Source of this article:
Deep brain stimulation restores frontostriatal network activity in obsessive-compulsive disorder
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