Deep-brain stimulation of the nucleus accumbens in obsessive compulsive disorder: clinical, surgical and electrophysiological considerations in two consecutive patients.

Obsessive compulsive disorder is a highly disabling pathological condition which in the most severe and drug-resistant form can severely impair social, cognitive and interpersonal functioning. Deep-brain stimulation has been demonstrated to be an effective and safe interventional procedure in such refractory forms in selected cases. We here report the first Italian experience in the treatment of this pathology by means of nucleus accumbens stimulation, pointing out to some technical data which could be of help in localization of the target.