Neurosurgery for Refractory Schizophrenia: A Systematic Literature Review
Arq. bras. neurocir; 39 (2), 2020
Publication year: 2020
Schizophrenia is a chronic and disabling psychiatric disease that can be refractory to
conventional treatment. The present study aims to gather information about the
circuitry related to schizophrenia to describe possible surgical targets, and to establish
whether psychosurgery can be a safe and effective treatment option for refractory
schizophrenia. A systematic review of the literature was conducted and reported
according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses
(PRISMA) statement. An electronic search was performed in the Pubmed and BVSalud
databases using medical subject headings (MeSH) combined with Boolean operators.
Out of the 724 studies retrieved, 13 were included in the review. Regarding leucotomy
without a stereotactic approach, we found side effects such as irritability, nervous
excitement, cases of disinhibition, and compromised normal social control. In other
stereotactic procedures, there was some improvement, mainly regarding aggressiveness
and positive symptoms; an anterior capsulotomy had an efficacy rate of
74% according to the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) rating scales. The only deep brain
stimulation (DBS) case report found in our study described a significant improvement
in the positive and negative symptoms. The use of a stereotactic approach enables
psychosurgery to be a safe and effective treatment option in cases of refractory
schizophrenia, improving the quality of life and the symptoms. Cognitive and negative
symptoms remain a challenge in the treatment of schizophrenia, revealing that more
targets in the circuitrymust be surgically explored. Furthermore,more clinical trials are
needed to compare these many surgical techniques and targets, using a standard
evaluation parameter. The results show that DBS has a promising future in the
treatment of refractory schizophrenia.
Esquizofrenia Resistente al Tratamiento/diagnóstico, Esquizofrenia Resistente al Tratamiento/cirugía, Estimulación Encefálica Profunda/efectos adversos, Neurocirugia/tendencias, Psicocirugía/efectos adversos, Psicocirugía/tendencias, Técnicas Estereotáxicas, Complicaciones Cognitivas Postoperatorias