Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive, safe and easy-to-operate neuro-electrophysiological technique, which becoming an emerging therapeutic option for many mental disorders.It can modulate cortical excitability of target brain region, neuron plasticity and brain connections. Previous studies suggest that tDCS could reduce cue-induced craving in drug addiction. Objective:In this study, the investigators employed real and sham tDCS of the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) to test the effect of whether it could reduce cue-induced craving, influence cognitive function in alcoholics and explore its underlying mechanism with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Methods: The investigators perform a randomized sham-controlled study in which 40 inpatient alcoholics will be randomized to receive 10 sessions of 20min sham or 1.5mA tDCS to the bilateral DLPFC (anodal right/cathodal left). The neuroimaging data, craving after exposed to alcohol-associated cues and the cognition task at baseline and after stimulation will be collected. The investigators hypothesized that tDCS stimulating the DLPFC decreases cue-induced craving and improves cognition, which might be associated with the functional connectivity alterations.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
40
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive, safe and easy-to-operate neuro-electrophysiological technique, which becoming an emerging therapeutic option for many mental disorders.It can modulate cortical excitability of target brain region, neuron plasticity and brain connections. Previous studies suggest that tDCS could reduce cue-induced craving and improve cognition in drug addiction.
Change from baseline functional magnetic resonance imaging at 2 weeks
Stop signal task during fMRI scanning (Philips Ingenia 3.0T MRI).
Time frame: Two weeks
cue-induced craving
Participants were instructed to pay close attention to real alcoholic beverages and rate their level of craving after smelling and recalling the last time they engaged in alcohol use. Craving was assessed by visual analog scales (VAS), with 0 mm being "no craving"and 100 mm representing "most craving ever experienced for alcohol".
Time frame: Two weeks
Cognitive function
Chinese version of the CogState Battery was used to assess cognitive function. We selected two tasks: Two back task (working memory) and Identification task (attention) which were displayed on a green screen with standardized instructions before each task beginning.The accuracy in Two back task and the speed in Identification task are our focus.
Time frame: Two weeks
Relapse
Meet the criteria for mild to severe AUD defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth edition (DSM-5)
Time frame: One month after discharge from the hospital
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