Low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex transiently increases cue-induced craving for methamphetamine: a preliminary study.
BACKGROUND
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can temporarily interrupt or facilitate activity in a focal brain region. Several lines of evidence suggest that rTMS of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) can affect processes involved in drug addiction. We hypothesized that a single session of low-frequency rTMS of the left DLPFC would modulate cue-induced craving for methamphetamine (MA) when compared to a sham rTMS session.


METHODS
In this single-blind, sham-controlled crossover study, 10 non-treatment seeking MA-dependent users and 8 healthy controls were randomized to receive 15 min of sham and real (1 Hz) DLPFC rTMS in two experimental sessions separated by 1h. During each rTMS session, participants were exposed to blocks of neutral cues and MA-associated cues. Participants rated their craving after each cue block.


RESULTS
In MA users, real rTMS over the left DLPFC increased self-reported craving as compared to sham stimulation (17.86 ± 1.46 vs. 24.85 ± 1.57, p=0.001). rTMS had no effect on craving in healthy controls. One Hertz rTMS of the left DLPFC was safe and tolerable for all participants.


CONCLUSIONS
Low frequency rTMS of the left DLPFC transiently increased cue-induced craving in MA participants. These preliminary results suggest that 1 Hz rTMS of the left DLPFC may increase craving by inhibiting the prefrontal cortex or indirectly activating subcortical regions involved in craving.
['Li|Xingbao|X|', 'Malcolm|Robert J|RJ|', 'Huebner|Kristina|K|', 'Hanlon|Colleen A|CA|', 'Taylor|Joseph J|JJ|', 'Brady|Kathleen T|KT|', 'George|Mark S|MS|', 'See|Ronald E|RE|']
D000328:Adult D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants D003463:Cues D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders D005260:Female D007839:Functional Laterality D006801:Humans D008297:Male D008694:Methamphetamine D009068:Movement D010775:Photic Stimulation D017397:Prefrontal Cortex D015203:Reproducibility of Results D012640:Seizures D016037:Single-Blind Method D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Transcranial magnetic stimulation Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex Craving Methamphetamine