Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective treatment for people suffering from severe obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) whose symptoms have failed to improve after years and multiple methods of intervention. An effective DBS target for OCD is the anterior limb of the internal capsule (ALIC) brain region. On average 60% of all OCD patients have a clinically significant response to ALIC DBS. However, ALIC DBS may become even more effective with the ability to predict which specific ALIC connections in the brain need to be stimulated for each individual OCD patient. This study therefore investigates personalized stimulation to the ALIC that allows for precise modulation of brain circuits associated with individual OCD symptoms. The study aims to specify the ideal anatomical target for ALIC DBS for maximum therapeutic benefit in each patient.
18 years of age or older
Primary psychiatric diagnosis of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD, per DSM-5 criteria)
Meets FDA Humanitarian Device Exemption (HDE) criteria for indication
Has elected to receive clinically indicated DBS for OCD with a directional system outside of this research study, as determined by treating clinician(s) and per current clinical practice
Ineligible or unwilling to receive ALIC DBS for OCD
Contraindications for general anesthesia, neurosurgery, or an MRI scan
Neurological disorder or other significant brain pathology, such as moderate / marked cerebral atrophy, stroke, tumor, epilepsy, or previous neurosurgical procedures (excluding cingulotomy, which may be permitted if not contraindicated in the opinion of implanting neurosurgeon)
Unstable medical illness, chronic immunosuppression, and/or considerably reduced life-expectancy
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Lead sponsor
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Collaborator