Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment: A Narrative Review

Alcohol use disorder is a mental health problem characterized by symptoms such as withdrawal, tolerance, and intense alcohol craving, affecting approximately 8.5% of the global adult population. Non-invasive neuromodulation techniques like repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation are gaining int...

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Main Authors: Omer Faruk Uygur, Merve Celik
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AVES Yayincilik 2024-12-01
Series:Addicta: The Turkish Journal on Addictions
Online Access:https://www.addicta.com.tr/en/transcranial-magnetic-stimulation-in-alcohol-use-disorder-treatment-a-narrative-review-13401
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author Omer Faruk Uygur
Merve Celik
author_facet Omer Faruk Uygur
Merve Celik
author_sort Omer Faruk Uygur
collection DOAJ
description Alcohol use disorder is a mental health problem characterized by symptoms such as withdrawal, tolerance, and intense alcohol craving, affecting approximately 8.5% of the global adult population. Non-invasive neuromodulation techniques like repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation are gaining interest in alcohol use disorder treatment. This review aimed to assess the efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimula- tion, deep transcranial magnetic stimulation, and theta burst stimulation protocols in treating alcohol use disorder, focusing on randomized controlled studies with sham. The studies reviewed predominantly target the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Some repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation protocols have shown positive effects on reducing craving and improving cognitive functions, while others did not find signifi- cant clinical changes. The results of deep transcranial magnetic stimulation studies targeting the medial prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex also vary; some report reductions in alcohol consumption, while others do not demonstrate significant effects. Theta burst stimulation studies suggest that particularly intermittent theta burst stimulation protocols may be effective in reducing depressive symptoms and relapse risk, whereas continuous theta burst stimulation protocols tend to have shorter and more limited effects. In conclusion, the efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in the treatment of alcohol use disor- der varies according to the targeted brain region, stimulation parameters, and patient characteristics. There is a need for studies with larger sample sizes, homogeneous protocols, and long-term follow-ups to more clearly define the role of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in alcohol use disorder treatment.
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spelling doaj-art-7ef44e0a8c48413c981a8c79aed343362025-01-15T14:54:28ZengAVES YayincilikAddicta: The Turkish Journal on Addictions2149-13052024-12-0111338839910.5152/ADDICTA.2024.24213Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment: A Narrative ReviewOmer Faruk Uygur0Merve Celik1Department of Psychiatry, Ataturk University School of Medicine, Erzurum, TürkiyeDepartment of Psychiatry, Ataturk University School of Medicine, Erzurum, TürkiyeAlcohol use disorder is a mental health problem characterized by symptoms such as withdrawal, tolerance, and intense alcohol craving, affecting approximately 8.5% of the global adult population. Non-invasive neuromodulation techniques like repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation are gaining interest in alcohol use disorder treatment. This review aimed to assess the efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimula- tion, deep transcranial magnetic stimulation, and theta burst stimulation protocols in treating alcohol use disorder, focusing on randomized controlled studies with sham. The studies reviewed predominantly target the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Some repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation protocols have shown positive effects on reducing craving and improving cognitive functions, while others did not find signifi- cant clinical changes. The results of deep transcranial magnetic stimulation studies targeting the medial prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex also vary; some report reductions in alcohol consumption, while others do not demonstrate significant effects. Theta burst stimulation studies suggest that particularly intermittent theta burst stimulation protocols may be effective in reducing depressive symptoms and relapse risk, whereas continuous theta burst stimulation protocols tend to have shorter and more limited effects. In conclusion, the efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in the treatment of alcohol use disor- der varies according to the targeted brain region, stimulation parameters, and patient characteristics. There is a need for studies with larger sample sizes, homogeneous protocols, and long-term follow-ups to more clearly define the role of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in alcohol use disorder treatment.https://www.addicta.com.tr/en/transcranial-magnetic-stimulation-in-alcohol-use-disorder-treatment-a-narrative-review-13401
spellingShingle Omer Faruk Uygur
Merve Celik
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment: A Narrative Review
Addicta: The Turkish Journal on Addictions
title Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment: A Narrative Review
title_full Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment: A Narrative Review
title_fullStr Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment: A Narrative Review
title_full_unstemmed Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment: A Narrative Review
title_short Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment: A Narrative Review
title_sort transcranial magnetic stimulation in alcohol use disorder treatment a narrative review
url https://www.addicta.com.tr/en/transcranial-magnetic-stimulation-in-alcohol-use-disorder-treatment-a-narrative-review-13401
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