Modeling Deep Brain Stimulation in the Nucleus Accumbens as a Potential Treatment for Addiction
Year: 2014
Type: other
Abstract: The nucleus accumbens is an important nucleus in the brain for reward and conditioning. In addiction, however, the nucleus accumbens is coopted to reinforce addictive behavior, creating a destructive influence in many lives. Recent research has shown that electrically stimulating the nucleus accumbens directly by deep brain stimulation (DBS) has potential to treat addiction [1-2]. However, the mechanisms by which DBS modulates nucleus accumbens are not well understood. In this study, we created a computational neuron model of the nucleus accumbens using the programming language, NEURON [3], to test how DBS affects the neuronal activity patterns. Here we suggest that decoupling the action potentials of axons from those of the cell bodies is a possible mechanism through which DBS might treat addiction.
Author: Nathaniel J. Faber
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Neurology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1143903431