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Pharmacopsychiatry 2016; 49(04): 170-173
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-104507
Original Paper
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Nucleus Accumbens Deep Brain Stimulation for Alcohol Addiction – Safety and Clinical Long-term Results of a Pilot Trial

U. J. Müller
1   Department of Psychiatry, Otto-von-Guericke-University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg
,
V. Sturm
2   Department of Stereotaxy and Functional Neurosurgery, University of Cologne, Cologne
,
J. Voges
3   Department of Stereotactic Neurosurgery, Otto-von-Guericke-University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg
,
H.-J. Heinze
4   Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke-University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg
,
I. Galazky
4   Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke-University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg
,
L. Büntjen
3   Department of Stereotactic Neurosurgery, Otto-von-Guericke-University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg
,
M. Heldmann
4   Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke-University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg
,
T. Frodl
1   Department of Psychiatry, Otto-von-Guericke-University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg
,
J. Steiner
1   Department of Psychiatry, Otto-von-Guericke-University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg
,
B. Bogerts
1   Department of Psychiatry, Otto-von-Guericke-University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 11 November 2015
revised 25 February 2016

accepted 29 February 2016

Publication Date:
04 May 2016 (online)

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Abstract

We report on the long-term clinical outcome (up to 8 years) of 5 patients who received deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the nucleus accumbens to treat their long-lasting and treatment-resistant alcohol addiction. All patients reported a complete absence of craving for alcohol; 2 patients remained abstinent for many years and 3 patients showed a marked reduction of alcohol consumption. No severe or long-standing side effects occurred. Therefore, DBS could be a promising, novel treatment option for severe alcohol addiction, but larger clinical trials are needed to further investigate the efficacy of DBS in addiction.

Key words

alcohol addiction - deep brain stimulation - nucleus accumbens - craving
 

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