A groundbreaking brain implant has transformed the life of a woman who suffered from both epilepsy and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The device, implanted at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), is the first in the world to effectively treat two conditions with a single stimulator.
The dual-purpose implant: Targeting OCD and epilepsy
Amber Pearson, 34, had been living with debilitating epileptic seizures and OCD for years. Her OCD made her wash her hands until they bled, afraid of contamination from everyday items. Her epilepsy caused frequent and unpredictable seizures that affected her quality of life.
She was offered a brain implant to treat her epilepsy, which works by detecting the abnormal brain activity that triggers seizures and delivering electrical pulses to interfere with it. The implant is about 32 millimeters long and is connected to wires that reach different parts of the brain.
Pearson had an idea: Could the same implant also help with her OCD? She asked her neurosurgeon, Dr. Ahmed Raslan, if he could insert another wire to target the brain region involved in OCD. Raslan agreed to try it, after conducting some tests to identify the specific brain signals associated with Pearson’s compulsive behavior.
The revolutionary breakthrough: A single device for two conditions
The result was a success: Pearson’s implant now monitors her brain activity for both epilepsy and OCD, and delivers electrical stimulation accordingly. The device has two independent programs, one for each condition, that can be adjusted by the doctors or by Pearson herself.
The implant has dramatically improved Pearson’s symptoms and quality of life. She no longer washes her hands excessively, and she can enjoy everyday activities without fear of seizures. She says she feels more present and happier than ever before.
Pearson is the first person in the world to benefit from such a dual-purpose brain implant, which is a remarkable achievement of medical technology and innovation. Raslan says he hopes this will inspire more research and applications of brain stimulation for various neurological and psychiatric disorders.