Basic and Clinical Neuroscience Journal
مجله علوم اعصاب پایه و بالینی
BCN
Medical Sciences
http://bcn.iums.ac.ir
137
journal137
2008-126X
2228-7442
10.32598/bcn
en
jalali
1401
2
1
gregorian
2022
5
1
13
3
online
1
fulltext
en
The Effect of Different Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) Protocols on Drug Craving and Cognitive Functions in Methamphetamine Addicts
Behavioral Neuroscience
Behavioral Neuroscience
Original
Original
<div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Introduction</strong>: Drug craving is a major problem in addiction treatment. Neuroimaging research has revealed various areas for drug craving, among which two key areas are the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC) and the cerebellum. The DLPFC is involved in different cognitive tasks, such as inhibitory control over seductive options that promise an immediate reward. The cerebellum is related to cognition and memory and activated by drug-related cues. Therefore, we decided to study the effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on six different protocols in reducing drug craving and increasing cognitive functions in methamphetamine addicts. <br>
<strong>Methods</strong>: The present study is quasi-experimental, with a pre-test-post-test design and a control group. Based on a simple sampling method, 15 male methamphetamine addicts were recruited from two rehabilitation centers in Tehran City, Iran. The participants were aged 18-65 years with a minimum of 12-month history of methamphetamine dependence. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the go/no-go task and the n-back task were administered before and after a single session of tDCS. The tDCS was applied on six protocols: 1) the right DLPFC anodal and the left DLPFC cathodal stimulation, 2) the right DLPFC cathodal and the left DLPFC anodal stimulation, 3) the right DLPFC anodal and the right arm cathodal stimulation, 4) the left DLPFC anodal and the left arm cathodal stimulation, 5) the right cerebellar hemisphere (O2) anodal and the left cerebellar hemisphere (O1) cathodal stimulation, and 6) the right cerebellar hemisphere (O2) cathodal and the left cerebellar hemisphere (O1) anodal stimulation. The data were analyzed by covariance method using SPSS software v. 22.<br>
<strong>Results</strong>: Study results indicated that while single-session tDCS effects on craving were not significant, it increased cognitive inhibition, especially in protocol 2: the right DLPFC cathodal and the left DLPFC anodal stimulation.<br>
<strong>Conclusion</strong>: Single-session tDCS affects craving insignificantly, but it can increase cognitive inhibition significantly. These findings support the results of previous studies on the effects of brain stimulation on reducing drug craving in other drug-type settings. </div>
Cerebellum, Cognitive Function, Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex, Drug Craving, Methamphetamine Addict, Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
349
356
http://bcn.iums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-1929-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1
Samira
Rezvanian
Samira.rezvanian@gmail.com
13700319475328460041329
13700319475328460041329
No
Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute for Cognitive Science Studies, Tehran, Iran.
Mohammadamin
Saraei
saraei.m.amin@gmail.com
13700319475328460041330
13700319475328460041330
No
Department of Psychology, School of Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Tehran Medical Branch, Tehran, Iran.
Hossein
Mohajeri
hosseinmohajeri9288@gmail.com
13700319475328460041331
13700319475328460041331
No
Department of Psychology, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran.
Peyman
Hassani-Abharian
abharian@iricss.org
13700319475328460041332
13700319475328460041332
Yes
Department of Cognitive Rehabilitation, Institute for Cognitive Science Studies, Tehran, Iran.