Transcranial Stimulation for the Treatment of Stimulant Use Disorder

Authors

• Amber N. Edinoff, Massachusetts General Hospital
• Saveen Sall, Louisiana State University Health Science Center at Shreveport
• T. D. Roberts, The University of Louisiana Monroe
• Henry H. Tomlinson, Medical University of South Carolina
• Lenise G. Soileau III, Louisiana State University Health Science Center at Shreveport
• Eric D. Jackson, University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix
• Kevin S. Murnane, Louisiana Addiction Research Center
• Danielle M. Wenger, University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix
• Elyse M. Cornett, Louisiana Addiction Research Center
• Jaime Toms, LSU Health Sciences Center - Shreveport
• Deepak Kumbhare, Louisiana State University Health Science Center at Shreveport
• Adam M. Kaye, University of the PacificFollow
• Alan D. Kaye, Louisiana Addiction Research Center

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Neurology International

Department

Pharmacy

ISSN

20358377

Volume

15

Issue

1

DOI

10.3390/neurolint15010021

First Page

325

Last Page

338

Publication Date

2-27-2023

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of stimulant use disorder (StUD) involving methamphetamine and cocaine has been a growing healthcare concern in the United States. Cocaine usage is associated with atherosclerosis, systolic and diastolic dysfunction, and arrhythmias. Furthermore, approximately one of every four MIs is cocaine-induced among patients aged 18 to 45. Methamphetamine use has been associated with nerve terminal damage in the dopaminergic system resulting in impaired motor function, cognitive decline, and co-morbid psychiatric disorders. Current treatment options for StUD are extremely limited, and there are currently no FDA-approved pharmacotherapies. Behavioral interventions are considered first-line treatment; however, in a recent meta-analysis comparing behavioral treatment options for cocaine, contingency management programs provided the only significant reduction in use. Current evidence points to the potential of various neuromodulation techniques as the next best modality in treating StUD. The most promising evidence thus far has been transcranial magnetic stimulation which several studies have shown to reduce risk factors associated with relapse. Another more invasive neuromodulation technique being studied is deep-brain stimulation, which has shown promising results in its ability to modulate reward circuits to treat addiction. Results showing the impact of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in the treatment of StUD are limited by the lack of studies conducted and the limited understanding of the neurological involvement driving addiction-based diseases such as StUD. Future studies should seek to provide data on consumption-reducing effects rather than craving evaluations.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

Edinoff, Amber N.; Sall, Saveen; Roberts, T. D.; Tomlinson, Henry H.; Soileau, Lenise G. III; Jackson, Eric D.; Murnane, Kevin S.; Wenger, Danielle M.; Cornett, Elyse M.; Toms, Jaime; Kumbhare, Deepak; Kaye, Adam M.; and Kaye, Alan D., "Transcranial Stimulation for the Treatment of Stimulant Use Disorder" (2023). Pacific Faculty Work. 176.
https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/all-faculty/176