State dependent effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on methamphetamine craving.
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been shown to modulate subjective craving ratings in drug dependents by modification of cortical excitability in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Given the mechanism of craving in methamphetamine (meth) users, we aimed to test whether tDCS of DLPFC could also alter self-reported craving in abstinent meth users while being exposed to meth cues. In this double-blinded, crossover, sham-controlled study, thirty two right-handed abstinent male meth users were recruited. We applied 20 min 'anodal' tDCS (2 mA) or 'sham' tDCS over right DLPFC in a random sequence while subjects performed a computerized cue-induced craving task (CICT) starting after 10 min of stimulation. Immediate craving was assessed before the stimulation, after 10 min of tDCS, and after tDCS termination by visual analog scale (VAS) of 0 to 100. Anodal tDCS of rDLPFC altered craving ratings significantly. We found a significant reduction of craving at rest in real tDCS relative to the sham condition (p = 0.016) after 10 min of stimulation. On the other hand, cue-induced VAS craving was rated significantly higher in the real condition in comparison with sham stimulation (p = 0.012). Our findings showed a state dependent effect of tDCS: while active prefrontal tDCS acutely reduced craving at rest in the abstinent meth users, it increased craving during meth-related cue exposure. These findings reflect the important role of the prefrontal cortex in both cue saliency evaluation and urge to meth consumption.
Translational Neuroscience Program, Institute for Cognitive Science Studies,Tehran,Iran.
Alireza
A
Shahbabaie
Translational Neuroscience Program, Institute for Cognitive Science Studies,Tehran,Iran.
Mehrshad
M
Golesorkhi
Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies, Tehran University of Medical Sciences,Tehran,Iran.
Behnam
B
Zamanian
Neuroimaging and Analysis Group, Research Center for Molecular and Cellular Imaging, Tehran University of Medical Sciences,Tehran,Iran.
Mitra
M
Ebrahimpoor
Faculty of Education and Psychology,Shahid Beheshti University,Tehran,Iran.
Fatemeh
F
Keshvari
Faculty of Education and Psychology,Shahid Beheshti University,Tehran,Iran.
Vahid
V
Nejati
Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation,Spaulding Neuromodulation Center, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School,Boston, MA,USA.
Felipe
F
Fregni
Translational Neuroscience Program, Institute for Cognitive Science Studies,Tehran,Iran.
Hamed
H
Ekhtiari
D000328:Adult; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D066249:Craving; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003463:Cues; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D065908:Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D064232:Visual Analog Scale