the Role of Repetitive Trans Cranial-magnetic Stimulation in Craving Reduction Among Opioid Use Disorder Patients

The Role of Repetitive Trans Cranial-magnetic Stimulation in Craving Reduction Among Opioid Use Disorder Patients

Repetitive Trans-cranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is a relatively safe and non-invasive method to modulate neuronal activity; rTMS uses alternating magnetic fields in a certain frequency to induce an electric current in the underlying brain tissue.

Administering high frequency rTMS to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is possible to increase brain activity in the stimulated area and to change brain activity in associated regions that are part of the same neural circuit which may reduce craving.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age range: 18-45 years old
2. Gender: males
3. Opioid Use disorder according to the DSM-5 (early abstinence starting 1 week up to 1 month).

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Presence of other serious mental illness (e.g.; psychotic disorders, bipolar affective disorder, depression with psychotic features).
2. Patients with any other serious medical illness.
3. Previous treatment with repetitive Trans- cranial magnetic stimulation.
4. Patients with contraindications to rTMS as cardiac patient with pacemaker.