Advanced search×

High frequency stimulation and temporary inactivation of the subthalamic nucleus reduce quinpirole-induced compulsive checking behavior in rats

Christine Winter, Adrian Mundt, Rafed Jalali, Daphna Joel, Daniel Harnack, R Morgenstern, Georg Juckel, and A Kupsch

Exp Neurol 210(1):12 (2008) PMID 18076877

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) represents a highly prevalent and impairing psychiatric disorder. Functional and structural imaging studies implicate the involvement of basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical circuits in the pathophysiology of this disorder. In patients remaining resistant to pharmaco- and behavioral therapy, modulation of these circuits may consequently reverse clinical symptoms. High frequency stimulation (HFS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN), an important station of the basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical circuits, has been reported to reduce obsessive-compulsive symptoms in a few Parkinson's disease patients with comorbid OCD. The present study tested the effects of bilateral HFS of the STN and of bilateral pharmacological inactivation of the STN (via intracranial administration of the GABA agonist muscimol) on checking behavior in the quinpirole rat model of OCD. We demonstrate that both HFS and pharmacological inactivation of the STN reduce quinpirole-induced compulsive checking behavior. We conclude that functional inhibition of the STN can alleviate compulsive checking, and suggest the STN as a potential target structure for HFS in the treatment of OCD.

Copyright © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2007.10.020
Version: za2963e q8zad q8zb7 q8zc1 q8zdc q8ze9 q8zf0 q8zge
Buy PDF

Similar articles you may find interesting…

  1. On-off control of burst high frequency electrical stimulation to suppress 4-AP induced seizures.
    Chia-Chu Chiang, Chou-Ching K Lin, and Ming-Shaung Ju

    J Neural Eng 10(3):036017 (2013) PMID 23648994

    Objective. The goal of this study was to investigate, using model simulations and animal experiments, the efficiency and the side effects of burst high frequency stimulation combined with on-off control in seizure suppression. Approach. A modified mathematical hippocampal seizure mod...
    Buy PDF
  2. Epidemiological evidence on association between ambient air pollution and stroke mortality.
    Yifeng Qian, Meiying Zhu, and Chunfang Wang

    J Epidemiol Community Health (2013) PMID 23661720

    This study provides new evidence for the association between exposure to ambient air pollution and stroke mortality. Our results also suggest that underlying cardiac disorder may increase the risk for ischaemic-stroke mortality in relation to air pollution exposure, especially NO2.....
    Buy PDF
  3. Safety and Utilization of Influenza Immunization in Children With Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
    Eric I Benchimol, Steven Hawken, and Kumanan Wilson

    Pediatrics (2013) PMID 23650306

    There was no increase in health services use in the post-vaccine risk period in IBD patients, and there was evidence for a protective effect of influenza immunization against IBD-related health services use. Influenza immunization is safe in children with IBD and should be encouraged to improve poor...
    Buy PDF