Title:Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Treat Substance Use Disorders and Compulsive Behavior
VOLUME: 14 ISSUE: 3
Author(s):Maria I.B. Protasio, Joao P.L. da Silva, Oscar Arias-Carrion, Antonio E. Nardi, Sergio Machado and Marcelo S. Cruz
Affiliation:Program of Alcohol and Drugs, Institute of Psychiatry of Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rua do Oriente, 314/apt 401 CEP 20240-130. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
Keywords:Alcohol, binge eating, cocaine, compulsion, gambling, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, tobacco.
Abstract:Compulsions, like pathological gambling, binge-eating disorder, alcohol, tobacco or cocaine abuse and
compulsive shopping have similar neurophysiological processing. This study aimed to examine the efficacy of repetitive
transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in improving patient control over compulsive behavior. The rTMS modulatory
role in cortical mesolimbic pathways possibly implies improvement of the inhibitory control system and compulsive
consumption drive. Thus, craving reduction would be a component for control achievement. Within this context, 17
studies were found. Most studies applied rTMS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Craving reduction was
observed in 10 studies and was associated with improved control of compulsion in two of them. In one study reduction in
consumption was found without reduction in craving. In addition, improvement in decision making was found in one
study.
