---
title: Deep Brain Stimulation in Severe Obsessive-compulsive Disorder
nct_id: NCT04919785
overall_status: COMPLETED
phase: NA
sponsor: University Hospital, Umeå
study_type: INTERVENTIONAL
primary_condition: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
canonical_url: "https://parkinsonspathways.com/agent/trials/NCT04919785.md"
clinicaltrials_gov: "https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04919785"
ct_last_update_post_date: 2021-06-09
last_seen_at: "2026-05-12T07:33:57.585Z"
source: ClinicalTrials.gov (mirrored, no enrichment)
---
# Deep Brain Stimulation in Severe Obsessive-compulsive Disorder

**Official Title:** Deep Brain Stimulation in the Bed Nucleus of Stria Terminalis in Obsessive-compulsive Disorder

**NCT ID:** [NCT04919785](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04919785)

## Key Facts

- **Status:** COMPLETED
- **Phase:** NA
- **Study Type:** INTERVENTIONAL
- **Target Enrollment:** 11
- **Lead Sponsor:** University Hospital, Umeå
- **Conditions:** Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- **Start Date:** 2008-09
- **Completion Date:** 2019-01
- **CT.gov Last Update:** 2021-06-09

## Brief Summary

Deep brain stimulation is an established treatment for movement disorders. New indications for deep brain stimulation are under investigation, among them severe and treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder. Here, the investigators investigate clinical outcomes, safety and mechanism of action of DBS in the BNST in a series of 11 participants with severe therapy-refractory OCD.

## Eligibility

- **Minimum age:** 18 Years
- **Maximum age:** 65 Years
- **Sex:** ALL
- **Healthy Volunteers:** No

```
Inclusion Criteria:

* Severe OCD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-IV
* YBOCS score of at least 25/40
* Disease duration of ≥5 years with persistent disabling symptoms despite adequate trials with at least 3 different serotonergic acting antidepressants, augmentation with antipsychotics, and CBT
* Only patients between 18 and 65 years of age who could understand and comply with instructions and provide their own written consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Current psychotic or substance abuse disorder
* Clinically significant medical disorder, or previous brain surgery
```

## Arms

- **Deep brain stimulation** (EXPERIMENTAL) — Deep brain stimulation in the bed nucleus of stria terminalis

## Interventions

- **Deep brain stimulation** (DEVICE) — Stereotactic functional neurosurgery was first developed in 1947 and is today an established treatment for movement disorders. The surgical procedure is initiated by mounting a stereotactic frame on the head of the patient and a magnetic resonance image (MRI) is performed. Using a computerized navigational system the target structure is identified on the MRI and a trajectory chosen. In the operating theatre a burrhole is made on each side of the midline for the implantation of two electrodes. The electrodes are about 1.3 mm in diameter with several contacts at their distal end. An extension cable is tunneled under the skin, connecting the electrodes with a neuropacemaker placed below the clavicle in a subcutaneous pocket. The hospitalization time after surgery is dependent on the time needed for programming of the device, but the patients can usually return home within 3-5 days.

## Primary Outcomes

- **Measuring the effect on obsessive-compulsive symptoms after treatment with DBS in the bed nucleus of stria terminalis using YBOCS** _(time frame: 1 year)_ — The primary outcome measure was the psychiatrist-rated YBOCS at one year, with response defined as ≥ 35% decrease in YBOCS score and partial response as a 25-34% decrease. In YBOCS is a 10-item clinically rated scale where the items are divided by obsessions and compulsions. The scale measures the severity of OCD by time spent on obsessions/compulsions, level of anxiety and decrease of functioning caused by OCD symptoms and ability to control obsessions and compulsions. Maximum points on the scale are 40, where 0-7 points indicates subclinical, 8-15 mild, 16-23 moderate, 24 - 32 severe and 33- 40 extreme OCD symptoms

## Secondary Outcomes

- **Measuring the effect on depressive symptoms after treatment with DBS in the bed nucleus of stria terminalis using the Montgomery-Asberg Depressive Rating Scale** _(time frame: 1 year)_
- **Measuring the effect on functioning after treatment with DBS in the bed nucleus of stria terminalis using the Global Assessment of Functioning scale** _(time frame: 1 year)_

## Recent Field Changes (last 30 days)

- `status.overallStatus` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `status.primaryCompletionDate` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `status.completionDate` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `status.lastUpdatePostDate` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `design.phases` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `design.enrollmentCount` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `eligibility.criteria` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `eligibility.minAge` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `eligibility.maxAge` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `eligibility.sex` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `outcomes.primary` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `outcomes.secondary` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `armsInterventions.arms` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `armsInterventions.interventions` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `sponsor.lead` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `results.hasResults` — added _(2026-05-12)_

---

*Canonical: https://parkinsonspathways.com/agent/trials/NCT04919785.md*  
*Source data (authoritative): https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04919785*  
*This page is a raw mirror with no AI summary, no editorial enrichment, and no Parkinson's-specific filtering.*