Brain Surgery for OCD

These interventions are only for individuals who do not respond well to cognitive behavior therapy or medications for OCD.

What kinds of brain surgery are there?

Anterior cingulotomy

This is a brain surgery that involves drilling through the skull and using a heated probe to burn an area within a part of the brain called the anterior cingulate cortex (the part of the brain highlighted on the right). About 50% of those who did not respond to behavior therapy or medicines for OCD got some benefit from the procedure.

anterior_cingulate_cortex
Anterior Cingulate Cortex (highlighted in gold).

 

Anterior capsulotomy

This procedure is very similar to the surgery listed above. However, in this surgery doctors operate on a different part of the brain called the anterior limb of the internal capsule. About 50-60% of those who did not respond to behavior therapy or medicines for OCD got some benefit from the procedure.