Cambridge and London hospitals testing DBS for addiction

Hospitals in Cambridge and London are set to test a groundbreaking treatment for severe alcohol and opioid addiction. This method involves implanting electrodes in the brain to help manage cravings and enhance self-control. The technique is called deep brain stimulation (DBS). It will be trialed at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge and King’s College Hospital in London. The study, named Brain-PACER, aims to recruit individuals suffering from these addictions. DBS is a surgical procedure that provides continuous electrical stimulation to specific brain areas. It helps normalize brain activity. Though DBS is known for treating other neurological disorders, this is the first large study focused on its use for addiction. Under this study, researchers hope to learn how DBS can help those whose addictions are severe and resistant to other treatments. Many individuals with addiction struggle significantly, affecting their health and daily lives. Initial findings suggest that this method could be beneficial for these patients. Professor Valerie Voon, the study's chief investigator, expressed optimism about the potential of DBS to improve the lives of people with addiction. The research will look at treatment effects in a controlled trial and explore how addiction affects brain function. The procedure requires careful surgical placement of very thin electrodes in specific brain areas that relate to rewards and decision-making. These placements are critical for the effectiveness of the treatment. Leaders of the research, such as Professors Keyoumars Ashkan and Harry Bulstrode, emphasize the promise of DBS. They hope that this technique will offer new hope for individuals and families who have faced long struggles with addiction. The Brain-PACER trial is supported by the Medical Research Council and UK Research & Innovation. More details about participation can be found on the trial’s website.