Deep Brain Stimulation to Understand and Treat Addiction

Who can take part

• Adults aged 18 to 60 years
• Diagnosed with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) according to DSM-5 criteria
• Primary diagnosis of treatment-refractory AUD (comorbid nicotine dependence, other psychoactive substance use disorders, moderate major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders or obsessive-compulsive disorder are permissible if AUD is principal)
• Disorder duration of AUD ≥ 5 years
• At least 3 unsuccessful attempts at achieving abstinence
• Failed prior psychotherapy and standard pharmacotherapy for AUD
• Medically and neurologically suitable for surgery and MRI-compatible
• Capable of providing informed consent and willing to comply with study procedures

Who cannot take part

• Previous treatment with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
• Significant neurological history, including prior hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage, or other major neurological illness
• Current or previous anticoagulant use
• Inadequate logistical or social support that would impair the safe conduct of deep brain stimulation therapy, including inability to reliably attend scheduled visits, lack of reasonable access to the study site, or inadequate home or caregiver support necessary for postoperative care, device management and follow-up
• Severe psychiatric disorder other than Alcohol Use Disorder (e.g., schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder)
• Severe major depressive disorder (moderate depression acceptable)
• Current active suicidal ideation or history of serious suicide attempts
• Cardiac pacemaker or defibrillator (or clinical indication for pacemaker placement)
• Any significant medical condition that, in the opinion of the clinical team, would increase surgical or anesthetic risk
• Increased risk of bleeding (as determined by hepatology/hematology review)
• History of coagulopathy
• Uncontrolled hypertension (controlled hypertension with medication is acceptable)
• History of major cardiac arrhythmia (e.g., atrial fibrillation) or need for anti-arrhythmic medication
• History of requiring cardioversion
• History of repeated falls
• History of major head injury
• Marked cognitive impairment
• Seizure history, including multiple alcohol withdrawal seizures
• Presence of implanted electrical devices, including:
• Implanted vagus nerve stimulator (VNS)
• Any other chronically implanted neurostimulation device
• Current pregnancy
• Contraindications to deep brain stimulation or neurosurgery, including:
• Inability to tolerate general anesthesia (as assessed by anesthesiology)
• Stage 4 liver cirrhosis
• Marked cortical atrophy on neuroimaging