Smoking cessation and weight loss after chronic deep brain stimulation of the nucleus accumbens: therapeutic and research implications: case report.
OBJECTIVE
Smoking and overeating are compulsory habits that are difficult to stop. Several studies have shown involvement of the nucleus accumbens in these and other addictive behaviors. In this case report, we describe a patient who quit smoking and lost weight without any effort, and we review the underlying mechanisms of action.


METHODS
A 47-year-old woman presented with chronic treatment-refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder, nicotine dependence, and obesity.


METHODS
The patient was treated with deep brain stimulation of the nucleus accumbens for obsessive-compulsive disorder. Unintended, effortless, and simultaneous smoking cessation and weight loss were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
This study supports the idea of compulsivity with common circuitry in the processing of diverse rewards and suggests that deep brain stimulation of the nucleus accumbens could be a possible treatment of patients with a dependency not responding to currently available treatments.
Mantione
Mariska
M
Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
van de Brink
Wim
W
Schuurman
P Richard
PR
Denys
Damiaan
D
D046690:Deep Brain Stimulation; D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009714:Nucleus Accumbens / Q000502:physiology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*