Nucleus Accumbens as a Novel Target for Deep Brain Stimulation in the Treatment of Addiction: A Hypothesis on the Neurochemical and Morphological Basis.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review and hypothesis paper without systematic search methodology or new primary data
PubMed 31744946 · doi:10.4103/0028-3886.271239
What was done
This narrative review synthesized neuroimaging findings, animal models, neurochemical pathway data, and early human case reports to evaluate deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the nucleus accumbens as an interventional treatment target for substance addiction.
What was found
Animal studies demonstrated significant reductions in addictive behaviors toward alcohol, cocaine, and narcotics following nucleus accumbens stimulation. Bilateral ablative surgery of the nucleus accumbens resulted in non-relapse in more than 50% of cases. Human evidence for DBS was limited to small patient series and incidental observations of addiction relief during treatment for psychiatric conditions; no specific numerical outcomes or effect sizes for human DBS were reported.
Why it matters
It outlines the neurochemical and anatomical rationale for targeting the nucleus accumbens in treatment-resistant addiction when conventional therapies fail.
Limits
Human data are limited to small, uncontrolled series, ablative studies, and anecdotal observations rather than controlled clinical trials. The review relies heavily on preclinical models, and no systematic search criteria or quantitative synthesis were reported.
Cited by
- supports Dopamine acts directly on the nucleus accumbens in the brain.