Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — A group of researchers at West Virginia University plans to study how a brain implant could affect opioid cravings for people with substance use disorder.
The Register-Herald reports that neuroscientist Dr. Ali Rezai is developing the implant, which will transmit electric impulses to the reward system of the brain.
Addiction psychiatrist Dr. James Berry says he doesn't think brain surgery or medicine will solve the addiction crisis, but says the implant could be an option for patients who haven't responded to evidence-based treatments.
Berry says the team is currently designing the study and pursuing federal grants and other funding options.
Like many states across the nation, West Virginia is in the midst of an opioid epidemic.
___
Information from: The Register-Herald, http://www.register-herald.com
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
