title: High-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation decreases cigarette smoking.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The mesolimbic dopaminergic reward system seems to play a crucial role in reinforcing effects of nicotine. Recently, acute high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of frontal brain regions has been shown to efficiently modulate the mesostriatal and mesolimbic dopaminergic system in both animals and humans. For this reason, we investigated whether high-frequency rTMS would be able to influence nicotine-related behavior by studying rTMS effects on craving and cigarette smoking.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen treatment-seeking smokers were included in a double-blind crossover trial, conducted in 2002, comparing single days of active versus sham stimulation. Outcome measures were rTMS effects on number of cigarettes smoked during an ad libitum smoking period and effects on craving after a period of acute abstinence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  High-frequency (20-Hz) rTMS of left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex reduced cigarette smoking significantly (p <.01) in an active stimulation compared with sham stimulation. Levels of craving did not change significantly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High-frequency rTMS may be useful for treatment in smoking cessation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany. peter.eichhammer@bzk.uni-regensburg.de
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Eichhammer
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Johann
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kharraz
authors.forename: Harald
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Binder
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pittrow
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wodarz
authors.forename: Göran
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hajak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012907:Smoking / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D004298:Dopamine