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Deep Brain Stimulation in Addiction

Table Summarizing Clinical Research Studies

First Author (Year) Study Title Country
Funder(s)		 Addiction, Intervention  Tested  Study Size Inclusion Criteria,
Patient Demographics		 Trial Type Findings +/-

Investigational Brain Stimulation Target: Nucleus Accumbens (NAcc)
Valencia-Alfanso
(2012)		 Effective deep brain stimulation in heroin addiction: a case report with complementary intracranial electroencephalogram Netherlands
_
Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development

Heroin

Condition after Bilateral NAcc Stimulation
vs
Condition before Implantation

 1 • 47-year-old male
•Treatment-refractory heroin dependence for >22 years

Prospective Case Report

Approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee

Length:
10 months

 • Decreased use, and cessation of drug abuse for all 10 months
• 1 episode 14-day relapse after cessation

Major Adverse Events:
   • None
Zhou
(2011)		 Deep Brain Stimulation of Nucleus Accumbens on Heroin-Seeking Behaviors: A Case Report
 China
---
none mentioned

Heroin

Condition after Bilateral NAcc Stimulation
vs
Condition without Stimulation

 1 • 24-year-old male
• Heroin dependence for ≥ 5 years

Prospective Case Report

Approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee

Length:
6 years

 • Complete cessation of drug use for 6 years (last follow-up)
• Significant improvement of memory and IQ
• Improvements in Depression and Anxiety

Major Adverse Events:
   • None
Kuhn
(2011)

Successful deep brain stimulation of the nucleus accumbens in severe alcohol dependence is associated with changed performance monitoring

 Germany
__
none mentioned

Alcohol

Condition after Bilateral NAcc Stimulation
vs
Condition without Stimulation

 1 • 69-year-old male
• Alcohol dependence >30 years

Prospective Case Report

Approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee

Length:
12 months

 • Decreased alcohol use, cravings, and malnutrition at 12 months

Major Adverse Events:
   • None
Muller
(2009)		 Successful treatment of chronic resistant alcoholism by deep brain stimulation of nucleus accumbens: first experience with three cases
 Germany
---
none mentioned

Alcohol

Condition after Bilateral NAcc Stimulation
vs
Condition without Stimulation

 3 • Males ages 25-60
• Alcoholism for ≥10 years
• ≥ 2 inpatient therapy sessions for ≥ 6 months
• No response to anticraving medications
• Sober for at least 2 weeks
• Educational level of at least 9 years
• No personality disorder
• No visible brain damage on imaging
 Prospective Case Series

Approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee

Length:
12 months		 • Significant improvement in urge for acohol at 12 months (average of 81% improvement)
• 2 Patients were abstinent and 1 significantly decreased amount of drinking days

Major Adverse Events:
   • None


Compiled during 2012-2013 by International Neuromodulation Society member Chengyuan Wu, MD, MSBmE, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery and second-year medical student Lekhaj Daggubati, Drexel University School of Medicine

Please note: This information should not be used as a substitute for medical treatment and advice. Always consult a medical professional about any health-related questions or concerns.

 

 
Last Updated on Friday, June 16, 2017 08:19 AM