title: Experimental therapeutics for refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder: translational approaches and new somatic developments.
abstract: Significant advances over the past 20 years in our understanding of the phenomenology and pathophysiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder, made in part from structural and functional neuroimaging and genetics research, can guide treatments that target brain regions, circuits, and neurotransmitter systems specific to obsessive-compulsive disorder, the disruption of which may alleviate obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms. We discuss here our current understanding of the underlying neurobiology and heritability of obsessive-compulsive disorder and integrate that understanding with a review of the current pharmacological, neurosurgical, and brain stimulation treatments of refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder. Expanding on these studies, we hope that new pharmacological and psychological treatment strategies and research-driven targets for lesioning, stimulation, or other types of focal neuromodulation can be identified that could lead to future research directions. Cross-species translational research and neuroimaging of the physiological and anatomical pathways implicated in the pathophysiology and treatment response in obsessive-compulsive disorder will advance our understanding of the neural basis of obsessive-compulsive disorder and lead to more targeted and effective treatment options.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA. heather.berlin@mssm.edu
authors.forename: Heather A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Berlin
authors.forename: Holly
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hamilton
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hollander
mesh_terms: D046690:Deep Brain Stimulation; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D006801:Humans; D023421:Models, Animal; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D012008:Recurrence; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation; D017211:Treatment Failure
chemical_list: D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors