Modeling Deep Brain Stimulation in the Nucleus Accumbens as a Potential Treatment for Addiction

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.