Researchers Have Found Ways to Reduce OCD with Brain Stimulation
Andrew Sztein — March 13, 2013 — Tech
Living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can be a really steep challenge, but researchers in Holland have come up with brain pacemakers that could normalize OCD symptoms.
The neuropsychiatrists at The Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam have designed brain pacemakers that provide deep brain stimulation through implanted electrodes. The researchers used similar technology as is found in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines to monitor the effects of the brain pacemakers on patients, and found favorable results.
OCD behavior can be caused by excessive signals in between the frontal cortex and the nucleus accumbens, and this excessive noise in the brain causes the anxiety. The brain pacemakers essentially limits this sort of 'crosstalk' to normalize the patients. The brain pacemakers are still in the research phase, but this could be good news for people who are nearly crippled by the disorder.
The neuropsychiatrists at The Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam have designed brain pacemakers that provide deep brain stimulation through implanted electrodes. The researchers used similar technology as is found in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines to monitor the effects of the brain pacemakers on patients, and found favorable results.
OCD behavior can be caused by excessive signals in between the frontal cortex and the nucleus accumbens, and this excessive noise in the brain causes the anxiety. The brain pacemakers essentially limits this sort of 'crosstalk' to normalize the patients. The brain pacemakers are still in the research phase, but this could be good news for people who are nearly crippled by the disorder.
Trend Themes
1. Brain Pacemakers for OCD - The development of brain pacemakers for OCD presents a disruptive innovation opportunity to greatly improve the lives of individuals with OCD.
2. Deep Brain Stimulation - The use of deep brain stimulation as a treatment for OCD has the potential to revolutionize the field of neuropsychiatry.
3. Monitoring Effects Through MRI Technology - Utilizing MRI technology to monitor the effects of brain pacemakers on patients provides an opportunity for further advancements in the field of brain stimulation therapy.
Industry Implications
1. Neuropsychiatry - The field of neuropsychiatry stands to benefit from the implementation of brain pacemakers for OCD, potentially transforming treatment options for patients.
2. Medical Device Manufacturing - The development and production of brain pacemakers will create opportunities for growth and innovation within the medical device manufacturing industry.
3. Mental Health Care - The introduction of brain pacemakers as a treatment option for OCD has the potential to disrupt the mental health care industry, offering new possibilities for managing and alleviating symptoms.
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