"Exploring Brain Electrode Implants for Treating Opioid Addiction"
Allegheny Health Network is pioneering a treatment for opioid addiction using deep brain stimulation (DBS) to target the brain's addiction and reward center. The study involves implanting electrodes in the brain to reduce severe cravings and relapse rates in opioid addiction patients who haven't responded well to existing treatments. The DBS treatment is not a first-line option but aims to provide an additional tool in the toolbox of addiction treatments, potentially offering hope for those who struggle the most with addiction. The research team is optimistic about the treatment's potential and hopes it will help reduce the stigma of addiction as a brain disorder that requires medical treatment.
