Bellvitge: brain stimulator for cases of obsessive-compulsive disorder

L’Hospitalet de Llobregat (EFE).- Bellvitge Hospital uses the implantation of a stimulator in the brain to improve the condition of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). According to data from the health centre, which is the only one in Catalonia that uses this system, 80% of patients improve their condition.

The system has previously been used for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s, or to control epilepsy, and is used in patients who do not respond to conventional treatment.

The technique consists of implanting electrodes using neurosurgery in specific brain regions, depending on each patient. These electrodes are connected to an impulse generator that is placed subcutaneously in the thorax or abdomen and that controls the electrical activity of the electrodes implanted in the brain.

According to neurosurgeon Gerard Plans, “the electric field generated by these electrodes in the brain areas where they are implanted modulates the activity of the neurons in these areas. This is possible because neurons are cells that are regulated by electrical impulses so that their activity can be modulated.”

One of the main assets of this surgical technique is the reversibility of its effect. In the case of undesirable effects, the reconfiguration of the parameters allows the disappearance of the side effects. In addition, with the current systems of surgery planning, the incidence of cerebral hemorrhagic complications and post-surgical infections is less than 5%.

OCD is an anxiety disorder that affects approximately 2% of the population. 10% of patients do not respond to treatment.
Since 2007, 13 patients have been operated on at Bellvitge Hospital with the new system. According to the health center, the response is positive, good tolerance to the treatment has been achieved with a very low incidence of complications.