Scans show the areas of the brain that become activated when a smoker, alcoholic or cocaine addict thinks about their vice.
Showing addicts images of the substances they are dependent on stimulates a region at the front of the organ that is linked to feeling pleasure.
The US researchers hope this finding could lead to treatments that 'switch off' networks in this part of the brain.
Similar non-invasive therapies are already used in depression with few side effects.
Image shows the parts of the brain that became activated when the addicts thought about their vice. On the left is the combined regions for the cocaine users, heavy drinkers and smokers. Right shows how the activated areas vary between different types of addicts
The researchers, from the Medical University of South Carolina, analysed a total of 156 chronic cocaine users, heavy drinkers and smokers.
The participants were shown images of the substance they were dependent on while their brain activity was monitored via an MRI scanner.
These images were broken up with 'neutral' pictures. For example a smoker was shown a person holding a cigarette, followed by them holding a pencil.
'Hot spots' in the medial prefrontal cortex region of the brains of all three of the different types of addicts became activated when they saw their vice.
The study was published in the journal Translational Psychiatry.
The medial prefrontal cortex is associated with pleasure, as well as decision making and memory.
The researchers hope that better understanding the brain networks that are affected by addiction will enable them to treat dependencies via non-invasive transcranial magnetic stimulation.
TMS is already used to treat depression and works by using magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain that may be suppressed in sufferers of the mental-health disorder.
The treatment is painless and involves a patient placing an electromagnetic coil near their forehead.
Although generally considered safe, the researchers caution TMS can cause headache and even seizures.
Scan shows the regions that are activated in different types of addicts from varying angles
Studies investigating TMS' effect on cocaine and alcohol abuse are already underway at the MUSC.
The researchers hope that after around two weeks of treatment, the patients will show less activation in the medial prefrontal cortex.
'It's a really exciting time to be in the field,' senior author Dr Colleen Hanlon said.
'We have decades of research that have demonstrated specific neural circuits involved in drug use, and we have lots of clinical research that has developed various pharmacological agents.
'That's where TMS comes in. We hope to fill the gap between the studies and helping our patients.'
Link hienalouca.comhttps://hienalouca.com/2018/11/21/scans-show-the-areas-of-the-brain-that-become-activated-when-an-addict-thinks-about-their-vice/
Main photo article Scans show the areas of the brain that become activated when a smoker, alcoholic or cocaine addict thinks about their vice.
Showing addicts images of the substances they are dependent on stimulates a region at the front of the organ that is linked to feeling pleasure.
The US researchers hope...
It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.
Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.
Dianne Reeves US News HienaLouca
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2018/11/21/16/6483226-6414645-Image_shows_the_parts_of_the_brain_that_became_activated_when_th-a-41_1542819312807.jpg
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