Basic research to elucidate the pathophysiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder by neuromodulation

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K15751
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 52030:Psychiatry-related
• Research Institution: Juntendo University
• Principal Investigator: Nakajima Asuka 順天堂大学, 医学部, 准教授 (40812459)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 強迫性障害 / 脳深部刺激療法 / 大脳基底核回路

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In the present study, we evaluated the effects of high-frequency stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) on obsessive-compulsive ideation in rats. Normal rats underwent stereotactic brain surgery and were divided into three groups: a stimulation group in which high-frequency stimulation (130 Hz, 60 μs, 0.9-1.0 mA, 15 s) was applied to the STN during a fear context conditioning task, a lesioning group in which electrodes were only inserted, and a control group. Changes in fear response (Freezing time, Startle response) were measured by digital software and analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test, but no statistically significant differences were found among the three groups. This indicated that the influence of left-sided STN stimulation on compulsive behavior was limited.

Free Research Field

神経生理

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、強迫性障害(OCD)の治療法としての脳深部刺激療法(DBS)の効果に関する理解を深めるものである。臨床ではOCDの刺激ターゲットとして既に用いられている視床下核（STN）への刺激が強迫観念に及ぼす影響について詳細に検討したが、有意な改善は見られなかった。これにより、OCD治療におけるSTN-DBSの有効性に対する新たな見解が得られ、分界条床核などの他の刺激部位の重要性が再確認された。社会的には、効果的なOCD治療法の確立に寄与することで、患者の生活の質向上に繋がる可能性があげられる。また、本研究は神経科学および精神医学の分野における今後の研究の方向性を示すものである。