Brain Region That Fuels Addiction Found

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The results led the study authors to conclude that damage to this region of the brain reduced the urge to smoke, rather than reducing the "reward" associated with smoking. That's not to say that the reward system isn't important to smoking addiction, just that this latest finding might complete the picture, they added.

"A lot of pleasure that comes out of smoking is what it does to the body, rather than nicotine reaching the brain. Each puff stimulates sensations in the throat, the lungs, the chest, and these are important for why smoking is pleasurable," Naqvi explained. "We think that when people are craving cigarettes, they are remembering that type of pleasure, and this area of the brain, which is known to sense what is going on in the body, may play a role in remembering that type of pleasure."

So far, the thought is just a theory, but the finding may help smokers quit using, for example, sensory replacements for smoking such as cigarettes without nicotine.

And, depending on what other research turns up, focusing on the insula may help people give up other addictive behaviors as well, the researchers added.

"This is a seminal paper," said Deborah Mash, professor of neurology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. "However, the fundamental question is whether the effect is specific to nicotine, because it may be that the insula is the seat of the soul for the compulsive taking of all abused substances."

More information

Visit the American Lung Association for more on smoking and quitting smoking.