Efficacy of single-session transcranial direct current stimulation on addiction-related inhibitory control and craving: a randomized trial in males with Internet gaming disorder

Abstract

Background: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) may reduce substance use and other addictive behaviours. However, the cognitive mechanisms that underpin such effects remain unclear. Impaired inhibitory control linked to hypoactivation of the prefrontal cortex may allow craving-related motivations to lead to compulsive addictive behaviours. However, very few studies have examined whether increasing the activation of the dlPFC via anodal tDCS could enhance inhibitory control over addiction-related distractors. The current study aimed to enrich empirical evidence related to this issue. Methods: Thirty-three males with Internet gaming disorder underwent active (1.5 mA for 20 minutes) and sham tDCS 1 week apart, in randomized order. We assessed inhibitory control over gaming-related distractors and craving pre- and post-stimulation. Results: Relative to sham treatment, active tDCS reduced interference from gaming-related (versus non-gaming) distractors and attenuated background craving, but did not affect cue-induced craving. Limitations: This study was limited by its relatively small sample size and the fact that it lacked assessments of tDCS effects on addictive behaviour. Future tDCS studies with multiple sessions in larger samples are warranted to examine the effects on addictive behaviours of alterations in addiction-related inhibitory control. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that stimulation of the dlPFC influences inhibitory control over addiction-related cues and addiction-related motivation. This is the first empirical study to suggest that enhanced inhibitory control may be a cognitive mechanism underlying the effects of tDCS on addictions like Internet gaming disorder. Our finding of attenuated background craving replicated previous tDCS studies. Intriguingly, our finding of distinct tDCS effects on 2 forms of craving suggests that they may have disparate underlying mechanisms or differential sensitivity to tDCS. Clinical Trials No.: NCT03352973

Potential Biological Markers and Treatment Implications for Binge Eating Disorder and Behavioral Addictions

“…Some studies have used transcranial magnetic stimulation in individuals with IGD [ 119 , 120 , 121 ]. Most of these studies, as with GD, have focused on the DLPFC.…”

“…Most of these studies, as with GD, have focused on the DLPFC. Cue-induced craving may involve automatic responses to addiction-related cues that may be difficult to attenuate [ 120 ]. TDCS of the DLPFC may enhance control over both negative emotions and craving [ 121 ] and have effects on control and reward systems [ 120 ].…”

“…Cue-induced craving may involve automatic responses to addiction-related cues that may be difficult to attenuate [ 120 ]. TDCS of the DLPFC may enhance control over both negative emotions and craving [ 121 ] and have effects on control and reward systems [ 120 ]. Hyperactivation of reward networks (including the striatum) may induce neuroadaptations in craving, in response to addiction-related stimuli [ 120 ].…”

Comparison of frontostriatal circuits in adolescent nicotine addiction and internet gaming disorder

“…Both have a top-down approach of the cortical regions to the striatum with overlapping reward and cognitive control pathways that play a crucial role in modulating addictive behavior. Such neural pathways are the key to treating both addictions using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) ( Yuan et al, 2020 ) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) ( Wu et al, 2020 , 2021 ) as has been done in drug ( Song, Zilverstand, Gui, Li, & Zhou, 2019 ) and alcohol addiction ( Herremans & Baeken, 2012 ). However, there are many distinct differences between these two disorders.…”

Kesehatan Mental Remaja Dalam Penggunaan Gadget

“…Kecanduan terhadap game dapat mempengaruhi nafsu makan yaitu menyebabkan penurunan nafsu makan, hal ini terjadi karena efek dari gambar yang mempengaruhi stimulasi dan peningkatan rangsangan yang menghambat distraktor hingga mengakibatkan kecanduan. Dengan data neuroimaging menunjukkan penghambatan terkait dengan peningkatan pada korteks prefrontal kanan (Wu et al, 2021). Penggunaan gadget secara terjadwal sesuai dengan kebutuhan remaja diharapkan saat mengurangi ketergantungan.…”