Gamma knife radiosurgery in psychiatry: a review

Gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) is a minimally invasive technique frequently employed in neurosurgery or oncology, and it has applications in psychiatric patients as well. While it is commonly used in conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder, GKRS also has efficacy in treating major depression disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, autism spectrum disorder and anorexia nervosa. Promising outcomes have been observed, particularly in cases resistant to conventional treatment, leading to significant improvements in the patients' quality of life. Severe adverse effects from GKRS procedures are rare. To enhance our understanding of the utilization of GKRS in psychiatry, further extensive research, especially through double-blinded studies involving larger cohorts, is imperative. Determining the ideal volume and radiation dose for radiosurgical capsulotomy remains a key topic of research. When it comes to psychiatric neurosurgical procedures, the decision-making process should be personalized for each patient, taking all relevant factors into consideration.