Deep Brain Stimulation

Last updated on April 3rd, 2026 at 01:41 pm

In 2023, a record 112,000 people in the U.S. died after overdosing on drugs, including illicit drugs and prescription opioids. There are several psychological and pharmaceutical treatments available for addiction. Sadly, as many as 75% to 98% of patients relapse.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS), a non-pharmacological treatment is emerging as a promising approach for treating drug addiction.

Understanding Drug Addiction and the Brain’s Reward System

Drug addiction creates a self-perpetuating pattern in the brain, creating resistance to intervention. The brain’s reward system plays a crucial role in addiction.

Two key regions are involved:

• Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA): Releases dopamine, the feel-good chemical associated with pleasure.
• Nucleus Accumbens: Controls memory and behavior. This center reinforces addictive behavior.

Drugs overload this system, flooding it with dopamine and strengthening addiction-related connections.

The Role of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

DBS is a neurosurgical procedure where electrodes are implanted to deliver electrical stimulation to specific brain regions.

Originally used for movement disorders, DBS is now being explored for addiction treatment. The goal is to cut off the pleasurable “high” associated with addiction by altering brain activity.

Promising Research Findings

Early studies show promise in suppressing the rapid dopamine increase responsible for the addictive “high.” Animal models and human research suggest that electrically stimulating reward-associated brain regions have the potential to decrease drug-seeking behavior. The exact mechanism behind this goal remains unclear.

The Role of Biomedical Engineering

Mayo Clinic researchers, including Dr. Hojin Shin and Dr. Yoonbae Oh, are at the forefront of these innovative techniques. They use flexible, thin carbon fiber electrodes to measure brain chemicals like dopamine and serotonin in real time. These insights help understand DBS effects on addiction.

In preclinical studies:

DBS treatment reduced dopamine flow to the nucleus accumbens (the brain’s reward center) by half. Rodent models of opioid addiction showed inhibited dopamine spikes when treated with DBS before opioid administration. DBS also prevented respiratory depression, a common cause of opioid overdose deaths. The reduction in Dopamine release, reduces the euphoria and allows for brain “rewiring” in how illicit drugs affect reward.

Funding by NIH grants will allow for crucial next steps. Preclinical studies and clinical trials of DBS as an experimental treatment hope to provide answers into the mechanism of action and clarify future applications of DBS in the treatment of addiction.

Paradigm Shift

Viewing addiction as a biological problem and addressing it with biological treatments like DBS represents a paradigm shift. DBS offers hope for breaking the cycle of addiction and improving patient outcomes with LASTING results.

Remember that while DBS shows promise, further research and clinical trials are required to fully understand its effectiveness and safety in treating drug addiction. If you have questions or need additional information, please inquire!