Repeated Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on Methamphetamine Craving: A Randomized, Sham-controlled Study

Abstract

The modulation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) activity enhanced the prospects of substance use disorders rehabilitation, using non-invasive brain stimulation, such as transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS). Methods: We carried out a randomized sham-controlled clinical trial to assess the effect of repeated tDCS at DLPFC on drug craving in 30 abstinent male methamphetamine users. The participants underwent 5 sessions of 20 minutes bilateral real or sham 2 mA tDCS (anode right/ cathode left) of DLPFC. The Desire for Drug Questionnaire (DDQ) was used for assessing instant craving. The cue-induced craving was rated on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) after the verbal induction of craving. Results: The findings of this study indicated that cue-induced craving reduced significantly in tDCS related to sham (P<0.05), but tDCS did not significantly alter instant craving. Discussion: The results indicated that repeated bilateral tDCS over DLPFC was not effective in reducing self-report instant craving, but reduced self-reported craving in the craving induction condition.

A Scoping Review on Cue Reactivity in Methamphetamine Use Disorder

“…Six studies assessed either repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) ( n = 4) or transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) ( n = 2) of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) to evaluate changes in cue-induced craving [ 40 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 ]. Li et al (2013) found low-frequency rTMS of 1 Hz to transiently increase cue-induced craving [ 48 ] while Su et al (2017) found high frequency rTMS of 10 Hz to reduce cue-induced craving in methamphetamine users [ 40 ].…”

“…A single session of anodal tDCS on the right DLPFC decreased immediate subjective craving at rest after 10 min but increased craving rating upon exposure to methamphetamine cues compared to the sham condition, with the more provocative cues inducing significantly more cravings [ 50 ]. On the other hand, repeated sessions of bilateral tDCS (anodal stimulation of right hemisphere and cathodal stimulation of left hemisphere) reduced cue-induced craving but did not alter instant craving [ 51 ]. It was proposed that the different numbers of tDCS sessions or montages used by the two studies may have contributed to such discrepancy in findings [ 51 ].…”

“…On the other hand, repeated sessions of bilateral tDCS (anodal stimulation of right hemisphere and cathodal stimulation of left hemisphere) reduced cue-induced craving but did not alter instant craving [ 51 ]. It was proposed that the different numbers of tDCS sessions or montages used by the two studies may have contributed to such discrepancy in findings [ 51 ].…”

Brain Stimulation and Methamphetamine in Iran: A Debate in the Most Populous Persian Gulf Country

“…Methamphetamine craving was measured on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The study findings indicated that tDCS was effective in reducing self-reported craving in the treatment group while no significant changes were reported by the control group [14]. The study results are important; first because there are few similar research studies on tDCS in Iran [15][16][17][18].…”

“…Recently, a study has been published by Rohani Anaraki and colleagues in Iranian Rehabilitation Journal [14]. Repeated transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) was implemented on the brain cells of 30 men with methamphetamine dependence.…”