Brain pacemaker could curb alcohol cravings in severe addiction

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 18 to 60 years * Diagnosed with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) according to DSM-5 criteria * Primary diagnosis of treatment-refractory AUD (comorbid nicotine dependence, other psychoactive substance use disorders, moderate major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders or obsessive-compulsive disorder are permissible if AUD is principal) * Disorder duration of AUD ≥ 5 years * At least 3 unsuccessful attempts at achieving abstinence * Failed prior psychotherapy and standard pharmacotherapy for AUD * Medically and neurologically suitable for surgery and MRI-compatible * Capable of providing informed consent and willing to comply with study procedures Exclusion Criteria: * Severe psychiatric disorder other than Alcohol Use Disorder (e.g., schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder) * Severe major depressive disorder (moderate depression acceptable) * Current active suicidal ideation or history of serious suicide attempts * Previous treatment with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) * Presence of implanted electrical devices, including: * Cardiac pacemaker or defibrillator (or clinical indication for pacemaker placement) * Implanted vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) * Any other chronically implanted neurostimulation device * Significant neurological history, including prior hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage, or other major neurological illness * Any significant medical condition that, in the opinion of the clinical team, would increase surgical or anesthetic risk * Current pregnancy * Contraindications to deep brain stimulation or neurosurgery, including: * Inability to tolerate general anesthesia (as assessed by anesthesiology) * Increased risk of bleeding (as determined by hepatology/hematology review) * History of coagulopathy * Current or previous anticoagulant use * Uncontrolled hypertension (controlled hypertension with medication is acceptable) * Stage 4 liver cirrhosis * History of major cardiac arrhythmia (e.g., atrial fibrillation) or need for anti-arrhythmic medication * History of requiring cardioversion * History of repeated falls * History of major head injury * Marked cognitive impairment * Seizure history, including multiple alcohol withdrawal seizures * Marked cortical atrophy on neuroimaging * Inadequate logistical or social support that would impair the safe conduct of deep brain stimulation therapy, including inability to reliably attend scheduled visits, lack of reasonable access to the study site, or inadequate home or caregiver support necessary for postoperative care, device management and follow-up.