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Recent research from the University of Missouri School of Medicine suggests a potential alternative approach to treating cigarette addiction. Scientists have found that theta-burst transcranial magnetic stimulation (TBS) – a method utilizing strong, rapidly changing magnetic field pulses to influence brain activity – can enhance self-control, reduce cravings, and consequently lead to reduced smoking.
Individuals grappling with nicotine dependence often exhibit notable structural and functional distinctions in the brain compared to non-smokers. Smoking has been linked to diminished grey matter, indicating fewer neurons and other brain cells. These variances may impact inhibitory control (IC), the ability to restrain automatic urges and responses to stimuli, crucial for curbing impulsive reactions.
Lead author Brett Froeliger, PhD, a professor of Psychiatry, explained, “Having difficulties with IC may make it harder to avoid smoking when the urge arises, in response to all the cues and contexts in the environment that trigger the behavior to light a cigarette.”
Theta-burst transcranial magnetic stimulation involves applying magnetic pulses to the brain in bursts of three, occurring in two forms: continuous TBS (cTBS) and intermittent TBS (iTBS). cTBS entails repeatedly administering these three bursts for 40 seconds, while iTBS applies the same number of pulses irregularly for over 190 seconds.
Magnetic stimulation has previously been employed to address other mental health conditions. cTBS has been experimentally assessed for treating generalized anxiety disorder, while iTBS targeted at the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex – a brain region overseeing cognitive processes – is FDA-approved for major depressive disorder treatment.
The study encompassed 37 participants, primarily in their late 40s, and investigated the impacts of both cTBS and iTBS on the right inferior frontal gyrus, a brain region closely linked to inhibitory control. Researchers observed that cTBS enhanced IC, while both cTBS and iTBS reduced cravings and subsequently, smoking.
Froeliger stated, “Identifying treatments that improve IC may help reduce smoking and can potentially help with preventing relapse following when a person attempts to quit smoking. Treatments that improve IC may also help disrupt the cycle of drug use among individuals with other substance use disorders; however, further research is needed to examine the clinical value of TBS for treating substance use disorders.”
The findings were recently published in Biological Psychiatry CNNI under the title “Effects of Hyperdirect Pathway Theta-Burst Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Inhibitory Control, Craving, and Smoking in Adults with Nicotine Dependence: A Double-Blind Randomized Crossover Trial”.
