Repeated Low-frequency Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Reduces Cue-induced Craving: a Randomized, Prospective, Double-blind, Sham-controlled, Cross-over Study

Repeated Low-frequency Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Reduces Cue-induced Craving: a Randomized, Prospective, Double-blind, Sham-controlled, Cross-over Study

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of repeated low-frequency Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, combined with gambling cues, on gambling craving. Participants are pathological gamblers. A single real stimulation and a single shame stimulation are administered in a random order for each participant (cross-over study).

Inclusion criteria:

• Pathological gambler (DSM-IV criteria)
• Seeking treatment at the University Hospital of Nantes
• Right-handed
• 18-65 years old
• Increase in the intensity (at least 50%) of the gambling craving with gambling cues

Non-inclusion criteria:

• pregnant woman
• no effective contraception
• Substance use disorders (excluding nicotine)
• Benzodiazepine use
• Chronic neurological disease
• History of head injury
• History of neurosurgery
• Cochlear implant or other metal objects in the head
• History of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation or repeated Transcranial
• Magnetic Stimulation
• Difficult to read or write French

Exclusion criteria:

• Occurrence of side effects (like seizures)
• Psychoactive substance use 12 hours before the rTMS (excluding nicotine)