PsyPost
No Result
View All Result
PsyPost
No Result
View All Result

Study finds transcranial magnetic stimulation of the brain can reduce methamphetamine cravings

by Roberta Jenkins
August 3, 2017
in Addiction
(Photo credit: National Institutes of Health)

(Photo credit: National Institutes of Health)

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can improve cognitive function and reduce cravings in people addicted to methamphetamine, according to a study recently published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence.

Methamphetamine is a strong stimulant of the central nervous system that is used as a recreational drug all over the world. Part of the reason why people become addicted to substances like methamphetamine is because of cravings. Cravings occur when the user’s body begins to expect the drug and if the drug is given it will eliminate the associated unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.

Methamphetamine craving occurs through a number of brain networks including the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Abnormal PFC functioning produces impulsive behaviour, obsessive-compulsive symptoms and attention deficits. These factors are thought to contribute to the loss of control that leads to drug addiction. In fact, methamphetamine addicts have been shown to have deficits in a specific area of the PFC known as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), which is involved in reward and decision-making.

Methamphetamine abuse is a big problem for public health services and currently there is no treatment for methamphetamine addiction. Previous research has revealed that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the DLPFC reduces cravings in substance abusers of cocaine, heroin and alcohol. But this research had not been carried out on methamphetamine users. In an attempt to find a treatment for methamphetamine addiction a team of scientists from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China tested high frequency rTMS on a group of methamphetamine users. Fifteen participants received 5 sessions of rTMS treatment and the other 15 received 5 fake sessions.

The results showed that high frequency rTMS of the DLPFC reduced cravings in methamphetamine addicts without any adverse side effects. rTMS additionally improved the learning, memory and social cognition of methamphetamine addicts. This is a finding that has been replicated in studies using healthy volunteers and patients with schizophrenia, although the underlying mechanism is not yet clear. Furthermore, in this study the oldest participants with the lowest level of education responded the best to rTMS treatment. Although this is a finding that has not frequently been reported in previous studies.

Overall, this study demonstrates that high frequency rTMS over the DLPFC could potentially be used as a craving-reducing treatment for methamphetamine addicts, whilst also enhancing their PFC performance.

Share11Tweet7SendScanShareShare2Pin3Send

NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP

TRENDING

Depression predicts single relationship status in later adulthood, study finds

Dark personality traits linked to “social zapping”: New study examines people who cancel plans at the last minute

New psychology research indicates a simple cognitive test can predict Twitter behavior

New psychology research reveals men’s motives for sending unsolicited dick pics

Study suggests parental warmth protects troubled teens from psychopathic features and antisocial behavior

Working memory training has the potential to reduce anxiety

LATEST

Study suggests parental warmth protects troubled teens from psychopathic features and antisocial behavior

Dark personality traits linked to “social zapping”: New study examines people who cancel plans at the last minute

Depression predicts single relationship status in later adulthood, study finds

Astrocyte cells in the fruit fly brain are an on-off switch that controls when neurons can change and grow

STAY CONNECTED

  • Cognitive Science
  • COVID-19
  • Mental Health
    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Addiction
  • Social Psychology
    • Business
    • Political Psychology
  • Drug Research
    • Cannabis
    • Psychedelic Drugs
  • Conspiracy Theories
  • Meditation
  • Psychology of Religion
  • Aviation Psychology and Human Factors
  • Relationships and Sexual Health

About

PsyPost is a psychology and neuroscience news website dedicated to reporting the latest research on human behavior, cognition, and society. (READ MORE...)

  • Privacy policy
  • Contact us

No Result
View All Result
  • About
    • Newsletter signup form
  • Contact us
  • Home
  • Index
  • Privacy policy

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used.