Body Weight Changes after Deep Brain Stimulation for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder or Depression.

Background: In 2010, we published an often-cited case report describing smoking cessation and substantial weight loss after deep brain stimulation (DBS) for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in an obese patient. To test whether this single observation was also observed in the treated population at large, the weight changes of a larger cohort of patients who underwent DBS for OCD or major depressive disorder (MDD) were studied.

Results: Data were available for 46 patients (30 OCD and 16 MDD patients; mean age 46.

[Delusional infestation, a therapeutic challenge].

Delusional infestation, formally known as delusional parasitosis, poses a therapeutic challenge. This article provides tools to engage these patients with psychiatric treatment. We present two men aged 49 and 48 who saw the dermatologist with skin symptoms due to primary and secondary delusional infestation, respectively.

Is deep brain stimulation a treatment option for anorexia nervosa?

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe psychiatric disorder with high rates of morbidity, comorbidity and mortality, which in a subset of patients (21%) takes on a chronic course. Since an evidence based treatment for AN is scarce, it is crucial to investigate new treatment options, preferably focused on influencing the underlying neurobiological mechanisms of AN. The objective of the present paper was to review the evidence for possible neurobiological correlates of AN, and to hypothesize about potential targets for Deep brain stimulation (DBS) as a treatment for chronic, therapy-refractory AN.

Surgery for psychiatric disorders.

Surgery in psychiatric disorders has a long history and has regained momentum in the past few decades with deep brain stimulation (DBS). DBS is an adjustable and reversible neurosurgical intervention using implanted electrodes to deliver controlled electrical pulses to targeted areas of the brain. It holds great promise for therapy-refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder.