title: Neurosurgery for obsessive-compulsive disorder: contemporary approaches.
abstract: Surgery for psychiatric disorders has a controversial history. Traditionally, procedures were undertaken to physically disconnect or destroy certain areas of the brain thought to constitute critical components of the limbic pathways. The relatively recent advent of the much safer and non-destructive technique known as deep brain stimulation has coincided with a resurgence in interest in psychosurgery. Contemporary approaches to the surgical management of obsessive-compulsive disorder are discussed, together with our current understanding of its pathophysiology.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Renee E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Bear
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fitzgerald
authors.forename: Jeffrey V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Rosenfeld
authors.forename: Richard G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Bittar
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D046690:Deep Brain Stimulation / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D009480:Neuropharmacology / Q000266:history / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D011612:Psychosurgery / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000266:history* / Q000379:methods; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000266:history / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D018570:Risk Assessment