Theta Burst TMS as a Tool to Change Smoking Behavior

Prior and recent evidence suggests a role of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in cigarette smoking. The present study will examine whether a five-day regimen of theta-burst transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) reduces cigarette smoking outside of the lab (examined through self-report and physiological measures) and motivation to smoke inside the lab (examined through behavioral tasks and functional MRI).

Inclusion criteria

• smoke at least 10 cigarettes a day (on average)

Exclusion criteria

• comorbid mental or physical illness (managed or unmanaged)
• pregnancy
• use of prescription medication that might affect smoking or nicotine metabolism,
• use of smokeless tobacco or alternative nicotine products
• use illicit drugs of abuse (verified through urine screen and self-report),
• score of above a 7 on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (indicative of non-risky use),
• a history of epilepsy or seizures not otherwise specified (other than childhood febrile seizures)
• a history of chronic migraines,
• failure to meet all criteria on a standardized MRI/TMS safety screen (including but not limited to implanted electronic devices, bullets or metallic fragments above the waist, hair clips and piercings above the waist that cannot be removed)
• presence of any barriers to making contact between the TMS coil and the skin (e.g. cornrows that cannot be removed, glasses that the participant is unwilling to remove).