Background: Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is established as option to treat Parkinson's Disease and essential tremor by now. Successful treatments of small samples suffering from dystonia, cluster headache or Tourette's Syndrome or from obessive-compulsive disorders and depression make a future extension of indication seem probable. In this context the efficiency of DBS for the treatment of addiction is being discussed.
Aim and methods: To assess the potential effects of DBS of different target areas on addiction a keyword-related research in Pubmed (National Library of Medicine, Washington) was undertaken and own research was integrated.
Findings: Only case reports and case series were being found, describing in total n = 28 patients. Dopamine replacement therapy dependence (DRTD) and pathological gambling (PG) were reported in conjunction with DBS of the nucleus subthalamicus (STN). Addiction to alcohol, nicotine and heroin were reported in conjunction with DBS of the nucleus accumbens (NAc). These findings were collected in a spreadsheet and discussed.
Conclusions: For STN DBS remissions of PG and DRTD are only reported during the underlying treatment of Parkinson's disease. As method of action therefore the reduction of Parkinsonian medication seems more probable. For NAc DBS remissions of addiction to alcohol, nicotine and heroin are reported during the underlying treatment of heterogonous psychiatric disorders. In contrast to STN DBS this refers to possible, maybe supportive effects of NAc DBS. The exact methods of action are not well understood, but an high motivation of the patients to stay abstinent seems to be of relevance for the effect of NAc DBS.