Deep Brain Stimulation of Nucleus Accumbens for Methamphetamine Addiction

Deep Brain Stimulation of Nucleus Accumbens for Methamphetamine Addiction

The main objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of bilateral deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the Nucleus Accumbens(NAc) as a novel treatment in severe methamphetamine addiction. Our hypothesis is that bilateral DBS of the NAc will significantly reduce the craving for methamphetamine.

Inclusion Criteria:

• DSM-IV-TR diagnosis of Drug addiction disorder;
• Age 18-65 years old;
• Proficiency in Mandarin language;
• Failure to detox more than three times;
• Capacity to provide informed consent (understanding of the study purpose and methods);

Exclusion Criteria:

• Multidrug abuse and formation of addiction;
• Serious and unstable organic diseases (e.g. unstable coronal heart disease);
• Any history of seizure disorder or hemorrhagic stroke;
• Past stereotactic neurosurgical intervention;
• Neurological disease (Abnormal PET-CT, MRI, EEG)
• Contraindications of MRI-examination, e.g. implanted cardiac pacemaker/ heart defibrillator;
• Contraindications of stereotactic intervention, e.g. increased bleeding disposition, cerebrovascular diseases (e.g. arteriovenous malfunction, aneurysms, systemic vascular diseases);
• HIV positive;
• Pregnancy and/or lactation;