An Unexpected Outcome of an Ischemic Stroke on the Reward Pathways in the Human Brain.

Abstract

Background: Addiction affects millions of people, often resulting from a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors, and is frequently linked to mental health disorders. Many experts agree there is no cure for addiction, but there are effective treatments available. Many patients continue to succumb to addiction despite treatment. Therefore, more research is needed to develop new therapies in addiction medicine.

Case presentation: This is the case of a 63-year-old woman with an extensive smoking history who suffered an acute stroke affecting her left-sided basal ganglia, including the caudate nucleus and nucleus accumbens. The patient presented with bilateral strokes to the basal ganglia, previously having had a stroke affecting the contralateral basal ganglia. The new stroke resulted in moderate cognitive impairment and personality changes while also resulting in interesting changes to her cigarette addiction. Since the onset of her symptoms, the patient developed an aversion to cigarettes and a curious change in beverage preferences.

Conclusion: This case presents an incidental outcome that highlights what some authors have concluded in their research, which is local ablation to the addiction pathways in the brain can result in decreased rates of addiction in humans.