24 Feb Deep Brain Stimulation Shows Promise in Anorexia Nervosa

Posted at 18:34h in Author Interviews, Eating Disorders, Mental Health Research, Weight Research by

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Andres M Lozano OC, MD PhD FRCSC FRSC University Professor, University of Toronto Dan Family Professor and Chairman of Neurosurgery RR Tasker Chair in Functional Neurosurgery Canada Research Chair in Neuroscience Toronto Western Hospital Toronto

Dr. Andres Lozano

Andres M Lozano OC, MD PhD FRCSC FRSC
University Professor, University of Toronto
Dan Family Professor and Chairman of Neurosurgery
RR Tasker Chair in Functional Neurosurgery
Canada Research Chair in Neuroscience
Toronto Western Hospital
Toronto

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

Response: We discovered an area of the brain that is overactive in patients with depression and anxiety the subcallosal cingulate area (SCC). As these problems feature prominently in patients with Anorexia, we hypothesized that adjusting thie activity of this brain area with Deep brain stimulation (DBS) could be helpful. Our findings suggest that DBS in anorexia patients is relatively safe, can normalize abnormal brain activity and may help some with severe and resistant symptoms.

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?

Response: Promising treatment in this difficult and life threatening disorder. More work is needed.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Response: Larger patient numbers, try to identify who is most likely to respond, optimize patient selection, optimize brain target selection and stimulation parameter selection.

No disclosures

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Citation:

Deep brain stimulation of the subcallosal cingulate for treatment-refractory anorexia nervosa: 1 year follow-up of an open-label trial
Published online: February 23, 2017
Nir Lipsman, Eileen Lam, Matthew Volpini, Kalam Sutandar, Richelle Twose, Peter Giacobbe, Devin J Sodums, Gwenn S Smith, D Blake Woodside, Andres M Lozano
The Lancet Psychiatry
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(17)30076-7/fulltext

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Last Updated on February 24, 2017 by Marie Benz MD FAAD

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