Brain Stimulation Reward - Clinical Relevance

Clinical Relevance

Mechanisms of BSR offer a tool that provides insight into the way the brain governs behavior through motivation and reinforcement, especially in regards to addictive behavior. Further studies will elucidate the mechanisms by which addictive drugs initiate their habit-forming behavior as well as enhance knowledge of the neuroadaptations that occurs within the brain as a result of electrical stimulation or chemical injection. BSR will continue to shed light on and lead to the development of therapies to treat motivational compulsions such as compulsive eating, drinking, drug use, gambling, etc. Advances in technology and the development of an intracranial stimulation implant will assist patients suffering from disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and could be used to treat a variety of psychiatric conditions, including depression, by modulating the activity of the reward system.