title: Cessation of Smoking and Alcohol Addiction Following Thalamic Hemorrhage.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We describe a case of thalamic intracerebral hemorrhage leading to cessation of smoking.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 53-year-old female presented to the emergency department with right-sided weakness and dysarthria. Initial systolic blood pressure was 220 mm Hg. Computed tomography scan showed a left thalamic hemorrhage with associated edema and hemorrhage extending into the left lateral and third ventricle. She recovered uneventfully and was discharged to inpatient rehabilitation and eventually transitioned home. Three months later in the clinic, she reported that following the stroke, she abruptly stopped smoking without any smoking cessation aid. She reported that she had no craving for cigarettes. She also developed an aversion to drinking alcohol.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cessation of smoking following a thalamic intracerebral hemorrhage is not reported earlier. This observation suggests that the thalamus may play a role in nicotine and alcohol addiction. Further studies are needed to elucidate the possible involvement of the thalamic circuits in addiction pathways and as a potential target for modulation.
authors: *Department of Neurology, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI †Neuroscience Institute (Division of Neurology), Spectrum Health, Michigan State University, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI.
authors: Fatima
authors: F
authors: Najeeb
authors: Brian
authors: B
authors: Silver
authors: Muhib
authors: M
authors: Khan
mesh_terms: D064829:Alcohol Abstinence; D000437:Alcoholism; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012907:Smoking; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D013788:Thalamus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed