High-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Assists In Smoking Cessation

Cigarette smoking is a major public health problem causing significant morbidity and mortality. Yet, smoking cessation therapies are often ineffective at helping smokers break their addiction.

The mesolimbic dopaminergic reward system plays a crucial role in mediating the reinforcing effects of nicotine. Recently, acute high frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of frontal brain regions has been shown to efficiently modulate the mesolimbic dopamine systems in both animals and humans. For this reason, we investigated whether 10 high-frequency (10Hz) rTMS treatments over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex can help people to withdraw smoking in comparison to placebo rTMS.

Smokers seeking to quit are recruited through newspaper advertisements. Participants were randomized to 10 days of either real or placebo high frequency rTMS.

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Key information

Conditions

Heavy Smoking Behavior Smoking

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Sheba Medical Center

Ramat Gan, 52621, Israel

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Smoking over 20 Cig a day -

Exclusion criteria

epilepsy, psychiatry history

Treatment and study plan

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation 10Hz

Device

rTMS subjects will receive 20 trains of rTMS at a rate of 10 Hz for 6 seconds (1200 pulses/session). Pulses will be administered over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, defined as 5 cm anterior and in a parasagital plane to the point of maximum stimulation of the abductor pollicis muscle. Pulse intensity will be set at 100% motor threshold.

Magnetic stimulation using a special sham coil

Device

Sham stimulation will be given at the same location as the active, with special sham coil.

Primary outcomes

number of cigarettes smoked

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Sheba Medical Center

Other Gov

Registry information

Important dates

Study start: 2005
First posted: Jan 31, 2006
Registry last updated: Jun 30, 2011

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This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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Completed