Gender does not matter: Add-on repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment for female methamphetamine dependents

Ting Liu; Yongqiang Li; Ying Shen; Xiaoli Liu; Ti-Fei Yuan

doi:10.1016/j.pnpbp.2018.12.018

Gender does not matter: Add-on repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment for female methamphetamine dependents

Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2019 Jun 8:92:70-75. doi: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2018.12.018. Epub 2018 Dec 31.

Authors

Ting Liu¹, Yongqiang Li², Ying Shen², Xiaoli Liu³, Ti-Fei Yuan⁴

Affiliations

¹ Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; School of Psychology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China; Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China.
² Rehabilitation Medicine Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
³ Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; School of Psychology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China.
⁴ Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China. Electronic address: ytf0707@126.com.

PMID: 30605708
DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2018.12.018

Abstract

Background: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) targeting prefrontal cortex reduces craving in different types of drug addiction. However, most studies failed to elucidate the potential gender discrepancies for the treatment effects, due to the small percentage of female subjects enrolled. The present study prospectively recruited female methamphetamine dependents for TMS treatment.

Methods: Ninety female methamphetamine dependents were randomly assigned into the control group (routine addiction rehabilitation) or add-on 10 Hz group (routine addiction rehabilitation plus 20 times rTMS treatments). The craving scores to drug associated cues were examined as the primary outcome for this treatment.

Results: The results showed that add-on rTMS treatment was as well effective in female methamphetamine dependents, and the effect lasted for at least 30 days after treatment. Drug abuse history predicts the efficacy of chronic treatment, and the effects of TMS treatment was more pronounced in young, high-craving subjects.

Conclusions: Add-on high frequency rTMS treatment is as well tolerable and effective in female methamphetamine dependents.

Keywords: Addiction; Craving; Female; Gender; Methamphetamine; Transcranial magnetic stimulation.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Age Factors
Amphetamine-Related Disorders / rehabilitation*
Central Nervous System Stimulants / administration & dosage
Craving
Feasibility Studies
Female
Humans
Methamphetamine / administration & dosage
Middle Aged
Prefrontal Cortex
Sex Factors
Time Factors
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation*
Treatment Outcome
Young Adult

Substances

Central Nervous System Stimulants
Methamphetamine