Clinical Trial: Deep Brain Stimulation for Refractory Alcoholism

Study Status: Withdrawn
Recruit Status: Withdrawn
Study Type: Interventional



Official Title: Pilot Study of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) for Refractory Alcoholism

Brief Summary:

Background:

- Current treatments for alcoholism have limited success. More than half of people with alcoholism return to uncontrolled drinking even after treatment or self-help programs. One possible treatment is the use of deep brain stimulation (DBS). DBS studies of the ventral capsule/ventral striatum, a region of the brain, reduced cravings for alcohol in a small group of alcoholics. DBS is approved for treating other disorders, such as Parkinson s disease, but not for treating alcoholism. Researchers want to study whether DBS can be used to treat chronic alcoholism.

Objectives:

- To see if deep brain stimulation is helpful and safe for people who have chronic alcoholism.

Eligibility:

  • Individuals between 21 and 60 years of age who have been diagnosed with chronic alcoholism.
  • Participants must have tried for more than 10 years to stop drinking alcohol, and have failed multiple treatment and self-help programs. They may not have any other current substance abuse or dependence problem (except alcohol and nicotine).

Design:

  • Participants will start the study by entering a separate alcohol detoxification study at the National Institutes of Health. They will be monitored during this study with blood tests and brain scans.
  • Participants will have 2 weeks of baseline tests. They will include physical exams and blood and urine tests. They will also include tests of thinking and memory, and questions about current moods.