Abstract
Previous electroencephalography (EEG) researches have shown significant differences in terms of abnormal brain activity among smokers and non-smokers. Typically, EEG analysis showed decreased slow waves and increased fast waves in people with nicotine consumption. The present study tested a transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) technique combined with Mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) to reduce nicotine cravings. Specifically, cathodal tDCS over left prefrontal cortex (PFC), as well as anodal stimulation over the right central zone, tested. An 18-year-old right-handed male with almost 3 years of smoking participated. He had no anti-tobacco medical prescription. The participant received twelve sessions of tDCS treatment (2 times a week). Anodal stimulation (1.5 mA, 15 minutes) performed on C3 (LORETA source localization) and cathodal stimulation on FP2. Also, the participant received 30-minute MBRP-based psychotherapy sessions in order to ameliorate aggression, stress, and craving. Clinical evaluations, Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (AGQ), Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND), Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen, Kamarck, & Mermelstein, 1994), and daily checklist for the number of smoked cigarettes administered along with carbon monoxide (CO) levels. Also, subjective measures of craving intensity between zero and ten measured after treatment and 3-month follow-up. After treatment, the participant showed a substantial reduction in all clinical tests, and the number of cigarettes decreased from 30 to 2 a day. From a psycho neurotherapeutic perspective, the present study provides preliminary indications for a novel and efficient treatment of smoking during adolescence. Further studies are needed to determine generalizability and overall efficiency.
Highlights
Human society is plagued by tobacco use more than ever
Risk-aversion, which is associated with activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), is less pronounced among smokers compared to non-smokers.[13]
The participant reported reduced levels of aggression, stress, and nicotine dependence according to the clinical assessments which had maintained at 3-month follow-up
Summary
Human society is plagued by tobacco use more than ever. One person dies every 10 seconds due to diseases caused by or associated with tobacco use.[1]. A study has found that slow frequencies are associated with the activity of the dopaminergic brain reward system in which smokers have decreased delta power while resting. Direct stimulation of the brain can affect two Smoking Cessation and Combined Treatment features that are dysfunctional in tobacco-dependent participants; namely, disinhibition which is associated with the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system,[11] and experience of reward and motivation which connected to the dopamine system.[12]
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