2023-09-25 02:27:18
People with nicotine dependence tend to have significant structural and functional differences in the brain compared to healthy non-smokers.
Nicotine dependence is associated with dysregulated hyperdirect pathway-mediated inhibitory control. However, there are currently no evidence-based treatments shown to target this pathway to improve inhibitory control (IC) and reduce cravings and smoking. In this sense, new research from the University of Missouri School of Medicine (USA) suggests that there may be another way to treat smoking cravings.
People with nicotine dependence tend to have significant structural and functional differences in the brain compared to healthy non-smokers. Thus, it has been shown that cigarette smoking is associated with less gray matter, which means having fewer neurons and other cells in the brain.
“Having difficulty with inhibitory control can make it more difficult to avoid smoking when the urge arises, in response to all the cues and contexts in the environment that trigger lighting up behavior.“said lead author Brett Froeliger. Professor of Psychiatry.
Researchers found that theta burst transcranial magnetic stimulation (TBS) (strong, rapidly fluctuating magnetic field pulses that can affect brain activity) can lead to better self-control, reduced craving, and less smoking as a result. .
Magnetic stimulation has been used to treat other mental illnesses and disorders. cTBS has been experimentally tested to treat generalized anxiety disorder, while iTBS to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (a part of the brain responsible for cognitive processes) is approved by the FDA to treat major depressive disorder.
The study, published in Biological Psychiatry CNNI, involved 37 participants, mostly in their 40s, and examined the effects of cTBS and iTBS on the right inferior frontal gyrus, a brain region heavily involved with IC. The researchers found that cTBS improved inhibitory control, while both cTBS and iTBS reduced cravings and subsequently smoking.
“Identifying treatments that improve IC may help reduce smoking and potentially help prevent relapse after a person tries to quit smoking.”“explained prof. Froeliger. “Treatments that improve IC may also help interrupt the cycle of drug use among people with other substance use disorders; However, more research is needed to examine the clinical value of TBS for the treatment of substance use disorders.. R.: Ana Mera. Pharmacist. Barcelona
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