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Efficacy and Influencing Factors of ALIC-NAc Deep Brain Stimulation in Treatment-Refractory Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Efficacy and Influencing Factors of Combined Anterior Limb of Internal Capsule and Nucleus Accumbens Deep Brain Stimulation in Treatment-Refractory Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Status
Recruiting
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07031544
Enrollment
60
Registered
2025-06-22
Start date
2024-12-14
Completion date
2027-03-31
Last updated
2025-07-03

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Obsessive - Compulsive Disorder

Keywords

obsessive-compulsive disorder, deep brain stimulation, anterior limb of internal capsule, nucleus accumbens, activation timing

Brief summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the efficacy and influencing factors of the combination of the anterior limb of internal capsule and nucleus accumbens (ALIC-NAc) deep brain stimulation (DBS) in patients with treatment-refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The main questions it aims to answer is: Does the timing of DBS activation (at 1, 2, or 3 months post-surgery) affect the reduction rate in Y-BOCS scores? Researchers will compare three groups-DBS activated at 1, 2, and 3 months post-surgery-to determine whether earlier or later stimulation leads to greater symptom improvement. Participants will: * Undergo surgical implantation of an intracranial neurostimulation system targeting ALIC-NAc * Be randomly assigned to one of three DBS activation timing groups * Receive regular clinical assessments over a 6-month follow-up period after activation

Detailed description

This trial adopted a prospective, multicenter, randomized, open-label, parallel-group design. The study population comprised patients with treatment-refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder whose symptoms could not be effectively controlled by pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. After providing informed consent, participants underwent implantation of an intracranial neurostimulation system, followed by scheduled activation of stimulation post-surgery. A total of 60 patients were planned for enrollment and randomly assigned to one of three groups based on the timing of stimulation initiation: the one-month group (activation at 30 ± 7 days post-surgery), the two-month group (activation at 60 ± 7 days), and the three-month group (activation at 90 ± 7 days), with 20 participants in each group (1:1:1 allocation). Participants followed the trial schedule for regular assessments. The primary outcome was the difference in Y-BOCS reduction rates among the three groups at 90 ± 7 days after stimulation initiation.

Interventions

DEVICEdeep brain stimulation

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) involves the use of stereotactic techniques to implant microelectrodes into specific target nuclei within the brain through minimally invasive surgery. These electrodes are connected via leads to a subcutaneously implanted pulse generator, typically placed beneath the clavicle. By delivering low-intensity electrical pulses, DBS suppresses abnormal intracranial neural activity, thereby alleviating symptoms. Long-term stimulation can also induce neuroplastic changes in neural networks and neurotransmitter systems, contributing to the restoration of neurological function.

Sponsors

Huashan Hospital
CollaboratorOTHER
The First Affiliated Hospital of Shanxi Medical University
CollaboratorOTHER
The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University
CollaboratorOTHER
Tianjin Anding Hospital
CollaboratorOTHER
Tianjin Huanhu Hospital
CollaboratorOTHER
The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University
CollaboratorOTHER
First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University
CollaboratorOTHER
The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical College
CollaboratorUNKNOWN
the Third Hospital of Mianyang
CollaboratorUNKNOWN
Shanghai Mental Health Center
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Intervention model description

This is a prospective, multicenter, randomized, open-label, parallel-group study.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* aged 18-65 years old; * a diagnosis of OCD based on The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5); * the Y-BOCS total score ≥ 25; * met the criteria of treatment refractory. Treatment refractory is defined as failed a) Inadequate response or intolerance to at least three adequate trials of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), combined with at least two second-generation antipsychotics as augmentation agents. b) Inadequate response or intolerance to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) consisting of more than 12 sessions conducted concurrently with adequate dosed SSRIs treatment.

Exclusion criteria

* Presence of other psychiatric disorders such as organic mental disorders, paranoid personality disorder, or mental retardation. * Individuals deemed by the investigator to be at significant risk of suicidal behavior based on clinical assessment. * Presence of severe or unstable cardiovascular, respiratory, hepatic, renal, hematologic, endocrine, neurological, or other systemic diseases. * History of organic brain disorders, traumatic brain injury, intractable epilepsy, or other neurological conditions. * Clinically significant abnormalities in physical examination, laboratory tests, electrocardiogram, or imaging during screening or baseline that, in the investigator's judgment, make the individual unsuitable for the study. * History of implantation of a cochlear implant, cardiac pacemaker, cardiac defibrillator, prior unilateral or bilateral implantation of similar devices, or other surgical procedures within the past six months that may affect study participation as judged by the investigator. * Contraindications to DBS implantation or deemed unfit for surgery by the investigator. * Confirmed HIV-positive status. * Pregnant or breastfeeding women, women of childbearing potential with positive blood/urine HCG results at screening, those unable to use effective contraception during the study, or those planning to conceive within three months after study initiation. * Participation in another drug or medical device clinical trial currently or within three months prior to screening. * Any other condition deemed by the investigator to render the individual unsuitable for the study.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Obsessive-compulsive symptoms improvement3-month after DBS activationThe severity of OCD symptoms is assessed using the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS). Obsessive-compulsive symptoms improvement is reflected by Y-BOCS reduction rate.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
the change scores of CGI score1, 2 and 3-month after DBS activationThe Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) is an invaluable tool for monitoring the treatment outcomes of patients. The CGI actually comprises three companion one-item measures evaluating the following: (a) severity of psychopathology from 1 to 7, (b) change from the initiation of treatment on a similar seven-point scale, and (c) an overall evaluation of the therapeutic effect and side effects.
the change scores of HAMD score1, 2 and 3-month after DBS activationThe Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) is used to quantify the severity of symptoms of depression and is one of the most widely used and accepted instruments for assessing depression. It contains 24 items rated on 5-point scale, with the sum of all items making up the total score, yielding total scores from zero to 96. The higher score means more severity of depression symptoms.
the change scores of HAMA score1, 2 and 3-month after DBS activationThe Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) was one of the first rating scales developed to measure the severity of anxiety symptoms. The scale consists of 14 items, each defined by a series of symptoms, and measures both psychic anxiety and somatic anxiety. Each item is scored on a scale of 0 (not present) to 4 (severe), with a total score range of 0-56, where \<17 indicates mild severity, 18-24 mild to moderate severity and 25-30 moderate to severe.
the change of SF-36 score1, 2 and 3-month after DBS activationThe Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) comprises eight health domains: physical functioning, role limitations due to physical health, bodily pain, general health perceptions, vitality, social functioning, role limitations due to emotional problems, mental health. It also includes one item assessing perceived health change. These domains can be summarized into two composite scores: the Physical Component Summary (PCS) and the Mental Component Summary (MCS).

Countries

China

Contacts

Primary ContactZhen Wang, Ph.D, M.D
wangzhen@smhc.org.cn+8602164387250

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026