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A Personalized Brain Implant Curbed a Woman’s OCD
Oct 31, 2023
Explore the use of a personalized brain implant to reduce OCD symptoms. Targeting neural triggers and restoring normal function through electrical stimulation. Discuss the potential generalization of a neural trigger in OCD and the benefits of DBS treatment option.
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Quick takeaways
- A personalized brain implant using deep brain stimulation helped reduce OCD symptoms significantly.
- Intermittent stimulation with a neural trigger in the ventral striatum improved symptoms in OCD patients.
Deep dives
Personalized Brain Implant Controls OCD and Epilepsy
Amber Pearson, who suffered from severe OCD and epilepsy, underwent an experimental brain surgery using a personalized brain implant. The device, a responsive deep brain stimulation (DBS) system, detected irregular patterns in her brain and delivered electrical pulses to control both conditions. Researchers used a unique neural signature in the ventral striatum associated with obsessive thoughts to program the stimulation. Over time, Pearson's OCD symptoms decreased significantly, and she experienced a significant improvement in her daily life, with reduced compulsions and improved relationships.
