with a Personal brain implantA patient at Oregon Health and Science University a Significant improvement in his obsessive-compulsive disorder (TOC) RDrug resistant. According to a statement from the university, this For the first time one electrode can interfere with two areas of the brain and have a dual benefitThe implant treats the patient’s epilepsy.
According to a paper published in the scientific journal Neuron Application of first-in-person responsive deep brain stimulation for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Patient Amber Pearson underwent surgery on March 5, 2019, when the device was implanted with the primary goal of treating her epilepsy.
At Pearson’s request, an implanted neurostimulation system to treat his drug-resistant seizures was also scheduled to address his obsessive-compulsive disorder. According to the university, the man made the request only after informing him of any cases Patients with these types of implants reported improvement in their psychiatric conditions, including OCD.
For this reason, the surgeons confirmed The 32-millimeter implant also reaches an area of the brain called the nucleus accumbens. This brain region is associated with motivation and action, as well Compulsive impulses, the report says. In Pearson’s particular case, the researchers worked to identify the brain signals associated with compulsive thoughts, and programmed the implant to respond to these signals with electrical stimulation.
According to the study, in the next six to eight months, Pearson Obsessive Compulsive Disorder symptoms are significantly reduced, their brain activity triggered stimulation of the implant less frequently. Two years after implant stimulation was implemented, the effects persisted, says the study, published on October 20, 2023. According to the patient, her compulsions are greatly reduced, allowing her to develop healthy relationships with those around her.
about, The Mayo Clinic describes obsessive-compulsive disorder As a condition characterized by a pattern of unwanted thoughts and fears, it Causes repetitive behaviors. These obsessions and compulsions interfere with daily activities and cause great emotional distress.
At this point, the International OCD Foundation points out that this cycle of obsessions and compulsions reaches a point where it consumes more than an hour a day. He also pointed out 7 out of 10 people with OCD can benefit from medication and exposure and response prevention therapy. For cases resistant to standard forms of treatment, various procedures are currently being studied, including deep brain stimulation using an implant.
