Treatment of alcohol use disorder via magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound ablation surgery

BACKGROUND: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a problematic pattern of drinking that can cause significant impairment or distress. Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is a novel noninvasive technique permitting incision-less ablative treatment, which may be effective for AUD. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 54-year-old man diagnosed with AUD for 30 years. After bilateral nucleus accumbens (NAc) MRgFUS, his craving for alcohol decreased markedly from 6 to 0, and he remained abstinent throughout the follow-up (12 months). Moreover, psychiatric and neuropsychological assessments showed improvements in depression, anxiety, sleep, and quality of life. Besides, he did not have any serious adverse effects during the whole follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: This case report suggests the feasibility and potential of NAc ablation via MRgFUS in treating severe AUD. Subsequent multi-sample double-blind controlled trials need to be further studied. The effect of MRgFUS on the use disorders of other substances also requires further research.