World Neurosurg
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Review Historical Article
Deep brain stimulation for treatment-resistant depression.
Major depressive disorder is a common and disabling illness and is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Despite aggressive medical, behavioral, and electroconvulsive therapies, a significant number of patients remain refractory to treatment. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has proven efficacy in neurobehavioral disorders and, in a general sense, works by modulation of corticostriatopallidothalamocortical circuits implicated in these disorders. ⋯ Early work suggests DBS may become a therapeutic option in treatment-resistant depression. Further study is justified given the immense burden of disease.
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Lesion procedures for psychiatric indications have a history that spans more than a century. This review provides a brief history of psychiatric surgery and addresses the most recent literature on lesion surgery for the treatment of anxiety and mood disorders. ⋯ Lesioning procedures have informed modern deep brain stimulation targets. Recent lesioning studies demonstrate the efficacy and durability of these procedures in severely disabled patients. Judicious application of these techniques should continue for appropriately selected patients with severe, refractory psychiatric disorders.
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Few studies have investigated the implications of intracerebral hematoma (ICH) due to rupture of a middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysm and patient outcomes. We hypothesized that patients with Hunt-Hess (HH) grade IV-V may not benefit from aggressive measures. ⋯ Aggressive clip ligation and hematoma evacuation remains a reasonable option for patients suffering from an ICH associated with a ruptured MCA aneurysm. Admission HH grade is the primary prognostic factor for outcome among this patient population as more than half of patients with HH grade IV and V expired during their hospitalization despite aggressive treatment of their hematoma and aneurysm. Long-term functional outcome was poor in up to 85% of surviving patients with HH grade IV-V. It may be beneficial to discuss these prognostic factors with the family before implementing aggressive measures.
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Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a therapeutically effective neurosurgical method originally applied in movement disorders. Over time, the application of DBS has increasingly been considered as a therapeutic option for several neuropsychiatric disorders, including Gilles de la Tourette syndrome, obsessive compulsive disorder, major depression and addiction. Latest research suggests beneficial effects of DBS in Alzheimer dementia (AD). Because of the high prevalence and the considerable burden of the disease, we endeavored to discuss and reveal the challenges of DBS in AD. ⋯ Considering the large number of patients suffering from AD, there is a great need for novel and effective treatment methods. Our research provides insights into the theoretical background of DBS in AD. Providing that our hypothesis will be validated by our ongoing pilot study, DBS could be an opportunity in the treatment of AD.