[Transcranial magnetic stimulation for nicotine dependence]

Psychiatr Prax. 2003 May:30 Suppl 2:S129-31.
[Article in German]

Abstract

70-80% of regular smokers fulfill the ICD-10-criteria of dependence. In Germany, approximately 120,000 deaths per year are caused by tobacco-associated diseases. In contrast, therapeutic interventions, such as nicotine substitution or bupropione, yield poor abstinence rates of 30% after 12 months, at best. In animal experiments, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) exhibited modulatory effects on dopaminergic neurotransmission in regions of the so-called reward system. This pilot study should evaluate, if rTMS could modulate subjective craving for tobacco, which quite often leads to relapse to smoking. Therefore, 11 tobacco-dependent cigarette smokers were randomly assigned to a course of verum- and placebo-rTMS on consecutive days. Craving, as measured by a visual analogue scale, is significantly decreased after Verumstimulation compared to placebo-stimulation intra-individually. This encourages further studies to clarify, if rTMS might be helpful in achieving higher tobacco abstinence rates in smokers willing to quits.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • English Abstract
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Dominance, Cerebral / physiology
  • Dopamine / physiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Motivation
  • Neurons / physiology
  • Pilot Projects
  • Prefrontal Cortex / physiopathology
  • Secondary Prevention
  • Smoking Cessation / methods*
  • Smoking Cessation / psychology
  • Synaptic Transmission / physiology
  • Tobacco Use Disorder / physiopathology
  • Tobacco Use Disorder / rehabilitation*
  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Dopamine