Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena

Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena

Drug dependence, abuse, and addiction are complex phenomena that can precipitate various abnormal states. Physical dependence refers to a state of pharmacological adaptation to a drug. This adaptation often results in tolerance—a reduced response to the drug after repeated administrations. When the drug use is abruptly stopped, withdrawal symptoms occur due to the body's need to readjust from the pharmacologically induced imbalance. However, tolerance and withdrawal symptoms do not necessarily...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Integrating untargeted metabolomics and deep learning approaches to identify specific metabolic signatures and new mechanisms in unstable plaques.

Frontiers in cardiovascular medicine·2026

Same author

Monocyte-to-albumin ratio outperforms triglyceride-glucose index in associating with stroke prevalence among diabetics: an NHANES cross-sectional study.

European journal of medical research·2025

Same author

SnRNA-seq Interprets Mechanisms by which Three Glial Cell Types Influence Myelin Regeneration in Adult Drug-Resistant Epilepsy-Related Cognitive Impairment.

Molecular neurobiology·2025

Same author

Role of disturbance coefficient in monitoring and treatment of cerebral edema in patients with cerebral hemorrhage.

World journal of clinical cases·2025

Same author

Role of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1/2 in secondary injury after cerebral hemorrhage.

World journal of clinical cases·2025

Same author

Comprehensive multi-omics, behavioral and morphological analysis of the hazards of nano-plastics in mice with internal carotid artery occlusion.

Ecotoxicology and environmental safety·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 17, 2026

A General Method for Evaluating Deep Brain Stimulation Effects on Intravenous Methamphetamine Self-Administration

A General Method for Evaluating Deep Brain Stimulation Effects on Intravenous Methamphetamine Self-Administration

Published on: January 22, 2016

Nucleus accumbens surgery for addiction.

Nan Li¹, Jing Wang, Xue-lian Wang

¹Department of Neurosurgery, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China.

World Neurosurgery

|October 11, 2012

Summary

Stereotactic ablation of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) shows promise for treating opiate addiction, with a 5-year nonrelapse rate of 58%. Further research is needed, and deep brain stimulation is a potential alternative.

Keywords:

Addiction DBS Deep brain stimulation EPQ EPQ-N Eysenck Personality Questionnaire MRI Magnetic resonance imaging N factor of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire NAc Nucleus accumbens Psychological dependence QOL Quality of life Radiofrequency lesion Relapse Stereotactic neurosurgery WHOQOL-BREF World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument Abbreviated

More Related Videos

Using Optogenetics to Reverse Neuroplasticity and Inhibit Cocaine Seeking in Rats

Using Optogenetics to Reverse Neuroplasticity and Inhibit Cocaine Seeking in Rats

Published on: October 5, 2021

A Conditioned Place Preference Protocol for Measuring Incubation of Craving in Rats

A Conditioned Place Preference Protocol for Measuring Incubation of Craving in Rats

Published on: November 6, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 17, 2026

A General Method for Evaluating Deep Brain Stimulation Effects on Intravenous Methamphetamine Self-Administration

A General Method for Evaluating Deep Brain Stimulation Effects on Intravenous Methamphetamine Self-Administration

Published on: January 22, 2016

Using Optogenetics to Reverse Neuroplasticity and Inhibit Cocaine Seeking in Rats

Using Optogenetics to Reverse Neuroplasticity and Inhibit Cocaine Seeking in Rats

Published on: October 5, 2021

A Conditioned Place Preference Protocol for Measuring Incubation of Craving in Rats

A Conditioned Place Preference Protocol for Measuring Incubation of Craving in Rats

Published on: November 6, 2018

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Neurosurgery
Addiction Medicine

Background:

Opiate addiction is a significant challenge, with psychological dependence and relapse being major obstacles to recovery.
The nucleus accumbens (NAc) plays a critical role in addiction, and interventions in this area have shown potential in reducing addictive behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the efficacy and long-term outcomes of stereotactic surgery involving lesions in the bilateral nucleus accumbens (NAc) for treating psychological dependence in opiate addicts.

Main Methods:

Stereotactic surgery was performed to create lesions in the bilateral NAc in 272 patients with severe heroin addiction, starting in July 2000.
A follow-up study assessed the 5-year nonrelapse rates and quality of life improvements in patients who underwent the procedure.

Main Results:

The 5-year nonrelapse rate was 58% in patients treated at the institute, with significant improvements in quality of life.
Nationwide data from 1167 patients showed a 50% nonrelapse rate. Side effects were observed but were generally low in incidence and did not severely impact patients' lives.
While short-term outcomes were encouraging, leading to widespread use in China (2003-2004), the lack of long-term data and controversy led to a halt in the procedure in November 2004.

Conclusions:

Stereotactic ablation of the NAc can be an effective treatment for opiate addiction, despite potential neuropsychological adverse events.
The precise location of the lesion is crucial for treatment efficacy and warrants further investigation.
Given the irreversible nature of ablation, NAc surgery for addiction requires caution, and deep brain stimulation (DBS) is proposed as a safer alternative.