High frequency stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus reduces quinpirole induced compulsive checking behavior in rats

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is one of the most common psychiatric afflictions predominantly presenting with compulsive checking. Functional MRI studies have implicated the cortical-striatal-thalamic-cortical circuits and the mesiotemporal lobe in the pathophysiology of OCD. Congruently, in patients remaining unaffected by pharmaco- and psychotherapy controversially discussed partial ablative lesioning of these circuits can reverse clinical symptoms. In the treatment of other neuro-psychiatric disorders ablative lesioning has majorly been replaced by the selective and reversible high frequency stimulation…