Reward with Deep Brain Stimulation

I came across several interesting articles about using deep brain stimulation to increase reward. Christopher Harris brings up the intriguing idea of using deep brain implants targeted to the reward system to get people to exercise.

A person needing help to exercise would go to a hospital or a private clinic to be fitted with a deep brain stimulation implant capable of activating his reward system (the dopamine system). He would then be able to plug himself into specially designed exercise equipment that would reward him for exercising; a pulse of rewarding electrical current for each stroke on a rowing machine for instance.

You can read more stuff at his blog best before yesterday. Meanwhile Mind Hacks had a really interesting post about self stimulation with deep brain stimulation implants. Here's a quote from one of the papers he mentions.

Soon after insertion of the nVPL electrode, the patient noted that stimulation also produced erotic sensations. This pleasurable response was heightened by continuous stimulation at 75% maximal amplitude, frequently augmented by short bursts at maximal amplitude. Though sexual arousal was prominent, no orgasm occurred with these brief increases in stimulation intensity. Despite several episodes of paroxysmal atrial tachycardia [heart disturbance] and development of adverse behavioural and neurological symptoms during maximal stimulation, compulsive use of the stimulator developed.

Dr. Shock also discusses using deep brain stimulation implants in individuals who are addicted to drugs (deep brain stimulation for addiction). I think it should certainly be interesting when these implants get more use in the future.