BEIJING, Jan. 26 (Xinhuanet) - A new method is found for treatment of nicotine addiction, according to a research led by Antoine Bechara of the University of Southern California (USC) and the University of Iowa published Friday in the journal Science.

    The research found smokers who suffer damage to a "particular part" of the brain can give up the habit quickly and easily "without feeling any urge."

    The research, participated by smokers who suffered strokes, showed that the particular part of the brain -- the insula -- appears to be intimately involved in their emotions, cravings and addiction.

    Participants whose insula was damaged lost the urge to smoke immediately, the research said, adding "many have not touched a cigarette since."

    Based on the finding, the researchers suggested the possibility of helping smokers to give up by manipulating the insula, without causing the extensive brain damage of a stroke.

    Located in the brain's center, the insula translates information from other parts of the body into feelings such as hunger, pain or cravings for a drug.

    However, the insula also carries out lots of normal everyday functions. "So we would want to make sure we only interfere with functions that disrupt bad habits like smoking but not something vital like eating," Bechara said.

    The researchers said they were inspired by a patient whose insula was damaged by a stroke as he smoked 40 cigarettes a day before. He quit immediately, telling doctors that he "forgot the urge to smoke."