Deep brain stimulation of nucleus accumbens region in alcoholism affects reward processing.
The influence of bilateral deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the nucleus nucleus (NAcc) on the processing of reward in a gambling paradigm was investigated using H(2)[(15)O]-PET (positron emission tomography) in a 38-year-old man treated for severe alcohol addiction. Behavioral data analysis revealed a less risky, more careful choice behavior under active DBS compared to DBS switched off. PET showed win- and loss-related activations in the paracingulate cortex, temporal poles, precuneus and hippocampus under active DBS, brain areas that have been implicated in action monitoring and behavioral control. Except for the temporal pole these activations were not seen when DBS was deactivated. These findings suggest that DBS of the NAcc may act partially by improving behavioral control.
Department of Neurology, University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany. marcus.heldmann@neuro.uni-luebeck.de
Marcus
M
Heldmann
Georg
G
Berding
Jürgen
J
Voges
Bernhard
B
Bogerts
Imke
I
Galazky
Ulf
U
Müller
Gunther
G
Baillot
Hans-Jochen
HJ
Heinze
Thomas F
TF
Münte
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D046690:Deep Brain Stimulation; D005715:Gambling; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009714:Nucleus Accumbens / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012201:Reward; D012309:Risk-Taking