Outcomes with neuromodulation in obsessive-compulsive disorder

Neuromodulation is a new approach for mental disorders resistant to usual treatment that is network pathway-oriented and involves the use of several devices. It represents a promising tool in the quest for “precision medicine” and is aligned with the National Institute of Mental Health’s research domain criteria-based approach for the treatment of brain diseases. In this article, we review currently available data on neuromodulation approaches for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). These approaches are repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, deep transcranial magnetic stimulation, and deep brain stimulation (DBS). DBS and, to a lesser degree, transcranial magnetic stimulation, seem to be promising tools for the treatment of resistant and refractory OCD. However, they both remain experimental, and further studies clarifying their long-term outcome and safety are needed. Biomarkers, more precise definitions, and response predictors are also needed and continue to be works-in-progress.