The goal of this study is to determine if a specific experimental brain stimulation technique can be used as a non-invasive way to reduce cigarette cravings in current smokers. This study plans to learn more about the way an experimental technique called "transcranial magnetic stimulation" (TMS) affects a specific part of the brain, called the insula. Some research suggests that this part of the brain plays an important role in craving. The investigators plan to study the effects of TMS using standard surveys and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of subjects' brain. For interested participants, this study requires a single 3 hour appointment, which will include MRI of the brain as well as TMS.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
40
This study plans to learn more about the way an experimental technique called "transcranial magnetic stimulation" (TMS) affects a specific part of the brain, called the insula. Some research suggests that this part of the brain plays an important role in craving. The investigators plan to study the effects of TMS using standard surveys and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of subjects' brain.
Sham repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation will be applied to the insula in smokers.
University of Colorado Department of Radiology
Aurora, Colorado, United States
Changes in Cue-induced Cigarette Craving (Post-treatment - Pre-treatment) as Assessed by TCQ
Cue-induced cigarette craving as assessed by Tobacco Craving Questionnaire (TCQ)
Time frame: 1 hour
Changes in Craving Cue-induced fMRI Activity (Post-treatment - Pre-treatment) at Whole Brain Level Using Statistical Parametric Mapping
Time frame: 1 hour
Changes in fMRI Connectivity (Post-treatment - Pre-treatment) at Whole Brain Level Using Statistical Parametric Mapping
Time frame: 1 hour
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