Repetitiv Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Nicotine Dependence

: 70 - 80 % of regular smokers fulfill the ICD-10-criteria of dependence. In Germany, approximately 120 000 deaths per year are caused by tobacco-associated diseases. In contrast, therapeutic interventions, such as nicotine substitution or bupropione, yield poor abstinence rates of 30 % after 12 months, at best. In animal experiments, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) exhibited modulatory effects on dopaminergic neurotransmission in regions of the so-called reward system. This pilot study should evaluate, if rTMS could modulate subjective craving for tobacco, which quite often leads to relapse to smoking. Therefore, 11 tobacco-dependent cigarette smokers were randomly assigned to a course of verum- and placebo-rTMS on consecutive days. Craving, as measured by a visual analogue scale, is significantly decreased after Verumstimulation compared to placebostimulation intra-individually. This encourages further studies to clarify, if rTMS might be helpful in achieving higher tobacco abstinence rates in smokers willing to quits.