Brain stimulation — new hope for treating drug addiction
Researchers at West Virginia University have implanted electrodes in the brain of a patient with opioid dependence for the first time to reduce drug cravings.
Researchers at West Virginia University have implanted electrodes in the brain of a patient with opioid dependence for the first time to reduce drug cravings.
Staff at West Virginia University implanted in the brain of a person with opioid dependence a set of electrodes that promise to free him from addiction.
This provides brain stimulation and reduces drug cravings. Scientists decided to try this method of intervention after stimulation had successfully improved the condition of people with epilepsy and depression.
It all comes down to a neurotransmitter — dopamine, which influences the brain's reward system. Electrode stimulation makes it possible to regulate its function. The method was tested on a dependent patient who had several episodes of overdose with opioids and benzodiazepines.
The patient had tried every available method of fighting addiction, which led him to turn to stimulation. How much the implanted electrodes will help him is hard to say so far. However, similar experiments have already been carried out outside the United States.
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