Effect of High-Intensity Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation on Gambling Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Effect of High-Intensity Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation on Gambling Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The investigators assume that High-intensity transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (HI-tACS) could improve gambling disorder patients' executive-control function by modulating abnormal neural activity, particularly gamma-band oscillations, which are closely associated with executive-control deficits. This study intends to validate the effect of HI-tACS treatment, which has been discovered in the previous pilot study. A three-month follow-up assessment will be conducted to test the changes in executive-control function and its underlying mechanism.

Gambling disorder has become a major social and public health problem in China. Executive-control dysfunction is the main symptom of behavioral addictions such as gambling disorder. Previous studies have demonstrated that abnormal neural activity is distributed across multiple brain regions and networks throughout the whole brain. Research has shown that abnormal neural activity, particularly in the gamma band, contributes to executive-control deficits. High-intensity transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (HI-tACS) has been found to improve executive-control function by modulating this abnormal gamma-band activity. However, this has not yet been verified in gambling disorder patients. The investigators assume that HI-tACS could improve gambling disorder patients' executive-control function by modulating abnormal gamma-band neural activity, which is closely associated with executive-control deficits. This study intends to test the effect of HI-tACS treatment, which was discovered in a previous pilot study. A three-month follow-up assessment will be conducted to examine changes in executive-control function and its underlying mechanism. This study will provide a practical and theoretical basis for developing a novel treatment for gambling disorder.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged 18-60, male or female, with 9 or more years of education, and able to complete questionnaire evaluation and behavioral tests;
• Meet DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders，DSM) diagnostic criteria for gambling disorder;
• Have gambled for at least one year (at least once a week);
• Normal vision and hearing, or within the normal range after correction;
• Agree to cooperate in the follow-up evaluation;
• No metal implantation in the head, no history of nerve problems or head injury, and no skin sensitivity.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Have severe cognitive impairment, such as a history of head trauma, -cerebrovascular disease, epilepsy, etc.;
• Have used drugs promoting cognitive function in the last 6 months;
• Have impaired intelligence (Intelligence Quotient<70);
• Abuse or dependence of psychoactive substances (except nicotine) in the last 5 years.