Cigarette smoking is a major public health problem causing significant morbidity and mortality. Yet, smoking cessation therapies are often ineffective at helping smokers break their addiction. The mesolimbic dopaminergic reward system plays a crucial role in mediating the reinforcing effects of nicotine. Recently, acute high frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of frontal brain regions has been shown to efficiently modulate the mesolimbic dopamine systems in both animals and humans. For this reason, we investigated whether 10 high-frequency (10Hz) rTMS treatments over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex can help people to withdraw smoking in comparison to placebo rTMS. Smokers seeking to quit are recruited through newspaper advertisements. Participants were randomized to 10 days of either real or placebo high frequency rTMS.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
50
3\. rTMS subjects will receive 20 trains of rTMS at a rate of 10 Hz for 6 seconds (1200 pulses/session). Pulses will be administered over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, defined as 5 cm anterior and in a parasagital plane to the point of maximum stimulation of the abductor pollicis muscle. Pulse intensity will be set at 100% motor threshold.
Sham stimulation will be given at the same location as the active, with special sham coil.
Sheba Medical Center
Ramat Gan, Israel
number of cigarettes smoked
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.