Brain Stimulation in Drug Addiction

Drug dependence is known to be associated with structural and functional damage to the Prefrontal Cortex (PFC) culminating in the reduction of frontal activity. Besides, the PFC is critically involved in processing the craving of smoking [1,2] and drugs such as alcohol [3]; opiates [4] and cocaine [5,6]. Specifically, craving is associated with enhanced activity of this cortical area during drug cue presentation. Once PFC is broadly related to executive functions and to the brain’s reward circuitry [7-9], this imbalance indicates that the cognitive ability to regulate drug-seeking behaviour is decreased, and the risk of consuming the drug increases. Reducing craving and improving cognitive functions constitute great challenges in the treatment of drug addiction and, unfortunately, pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches have not fully addressed these issues so far. Catarine Lima Conti* and Adriana Madeira Álvares da Silva Conforti Federal University of Espírito Santo, Brazil *Corresponding author: Catarine Conti, Departamento de Biologia, Centro de Ciências Exatas, Naturais e da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo. Alto Universitário, S/N, Caixa Postal 16. CEP 29500-000 Alegre, ES, Brasil; E-mail: catarineconti@hotmail.com