Brain zaps for opioid addiction? Single-Patient trial raises questions
NCT ID NCT05903495
First seen Mar 08, 2026 · Last updated Jun 22, 2026 · Updated 12 times
Summary
This completed study tested deep brain stimulation (DBS) in just one person with severe, treatment-resistant opioid use disorder. The goal was to see if stimulating brain reward areas could reduce opioid use and improve safety. Because only one participant was enrolled, the results are too limited to draw any conclusions about effectiveness.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Contacts and locations
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Locations
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West Virginia University Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute
Morgantown, West Virginia, 26505, United States
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) device targeting the nucleus accumbens and ventral internal capsule
What this could lead to
If it works, this could point toward a new brain-stimulation treatment for people with severe opioid addiction who haven't responded to other therapies.
What could go wrong
This was a very early, single-person study. It cannot prove effectiveness, and DBS carries surgical risks. Much larger trials are needed.
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.