title: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation to treat substance use disorders and compulsive behavior.
abstract: Compulsions, like pathological gambling, binge-eating disorder, alcohol, tobacco or cocaine abuse and compulsive shopping have similar neurophysiological processing. This study aimed to examine the efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in improving patient control over compulsive behavior. The rTMS modulatory role in cortical mesolimbic pathways possibly implies improvement of the inhibitory control system and compulsive consumption drive. Thus, craving reduction would be a component for control achievement. Within this context, 17 studies were found. Most studies applied rTMS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Craving reduction was observed in 10 studies and was associated with improved control of compulsion in two of them. In one study reduction in consumption was found without reduction in craving. In addition, improvement in decision making was found in one study.
authors: Program of Alcohol and Drugs, Institute of Psychiatry of Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rua do Oriente, 314/apt 401 CEP 20240-130. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. isabelbrazil@gmail.co.
authors: Maria I B
authors: MI
authors: Protasio
authors: João P L
authors: JP
authors: da Silva
authors: Oscar
authors: O
authors: Arias-Carrión
authors: Antonio E
authors: AE
authors: Nardi
authors: Sergio
authors: S
authors: Machado
authors: Marcelo S
authors: MS
authors: Cruz
mesh_terms: D003192:Compulsive Behavior / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D066249:Craving; D006801:Humans; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / Q000379:methods*