Can Electrical Stimulation Reduce Cravings?

Surgeons in the UK are set to implant brain devices in individuals struggling with alcohol and opioid addiction to determine if electrical impulses can help curb cravings. This groundbreaking trial will assess whether deep brain stimulation (DBS) can effectively aid in addiction treatment by regulating neural activity linked to compulsive substance use.

Deep brain stimulation is already used to treat neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Now, researchers from Cambridge University, Oxford University, and King’s College London are investigating whether the same technology could be a solution for individuals facing severe addiction.

“Deep brain stimulation functions much like a pacemaker for the heart,” said Professor Valerie Voon, a leading psychiatrist at Cambridge University and the study’s principal investigator. “By stabilizing irregular brain activity, we hope to restore normal functioning in areas responsible for cravings and impulse control.”

Growing Interest in Brain Implants for Addiction Treatment

Brain implants are becoming an increasingly viable option for treating complex neurological and psychiatric disorders. More than 250,000 individuals worldwide have already received these devices to manage various medical conditions.

For patients with Parkinson’s disease, electrical stimulation of motor centers helps control tremors and involuntary movements. Early research suggests similar techniques may assist people battling substance addiction by targeting the brain’s reward and decision-making systems.

In the UK alone, alcohol addiction affects hundreds of thousands, often leading to additional health complications, mental distress, and socioeconomic difficulties. Opioid addiction remains a critical public health issue, with nearly half of all drug-related fatalities involving substances such as heroin and morphine.

“Addiction doesn’t just impact the individual,” Voon explained. “It disrupts families, workplaces, and communities. Finding an effective treatment is essential to reducing the social and medical burdens associated with substance dependence.”

How the Clinical Trial Will Work

The study, known as Brain-Pacer (Brain Pacemaker Addiction Control to End Relapse), will involve 12 participants: six with severe alcohol addiction and six with long-term opioid dependence. All participants must have struggled with addiction for at least five years and experienced multiple relapses despite undergoing conventional treatments such as therapy and medication.

The trial will be conducted at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge and King’s College Hospital in London. Each participant will receive a small electrode implanted in specific brain regions associated with motivation, impulse control, and reward processing. The electrodes will be connected to a pulse generator placed in the chest, delivering controlled electrical impulses to regulate neural activity.

“This approach aims to reduce cravings and enhance self-control,” Voon said. To ensure scientific accuracy, the study will be randomized, meaning that participants will not always receive active stimulation. Researchers will closely monitor brain activity to better understand the neurological mechanisms behind addiction and relapse.

Professor Keyoumars Ashkan, a neurosurgeon at King’s College Hospital and the lead surgeon for the study, emphasized the potential significance of the findings. “Deep brain stimulation has already transformed lives in the field of neurology. If we can prove its effectiveness in treating addiction, this could be a game-changer for thousands of people struggling with substance dependence.”

Potential Impact on Addiction Treatment

If successful, deep brain stimulation could provide a new treatment pathway for individuals who have not responded to traditional methods. Unlike medication-assisted therapy, which often requires long-term use, brain implants could offer a more sustainable solution by directly addressing the neurological roots of addiction.

“By modulating brain activity, we hope to help patients regain control over their cravings and decision-making processes,” Voon added. “This trial is an important step toward understanding how we can use technology to fight addiction at its core.”

The study aligns with a broader global effort to explore advanced medical technologies for addiction treatment. Researchers around the world are investigating neurostimulation techniques, including transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and focused ultrasound therapy, as potential alternatives to traditional rehabilitation programs.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Brain-Driven Addiction Therapies

While deep brain stimulation remains an experimental approach for addiction, its potential to revolutionize treatment is significant. If the trial proves successful, further large-scale studies could pave the way for regulatory approval and widespread clinical use.

Public health officials and addiction specialists will closely watch the results of the Brain-Pacer study, hoping it can offer new hope to individuals struggling with substance dependence.