Table 1.

Possible side effects of DBS in OCD or depression.

Negative effects of DBS	Positive effects of DBS
For example, bleeding or local infections at the chest caused by the operation itself	Clinical effects can be achieved without irreversible lesioning
For example, elevation of mood, anxiety, motor slowing caused by the stimulation	Electrodes can be completely removed if necessary
	Brain activity can be changed in a direct, controlled manner
	Opportunity to continuously adjust stimulation variables for each patient individually
	The patient can turn off stimulation immediately if side effects occur
	Allows blinded studies for therapy control
	No extrapyramidal effects
	No weight gain
	No long-time side effects as in antidepressant treatments are reported