High Frequency rTMS Over l-DLPFC in Gambling Disorder

Last updated: February 4, 2020
Sponsor: Fondazione Novella Fronda
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

N/A

Condition

Gambling Problems

Treatment

N/A

Clinical Study ID

NCT03733808
rTM20NG4MBLDSD
  • Ages 18-65
  • All Genders

Study Summary

Gambling disorder (GD), currently considered a behavioral addiction, show substantial similarities with substance use disorders (SUDs) in terms of neurobiology and symptomatology. In particular, alterations in prefrontal control circuit may underlie vulnerability to gambling- and drug-related cues and diminished cognitive control over craving, and negative emotions. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) could represent a novel approach to remodel these brain circuits.

The aim of this study is to evaluate High frequency (HF) rTMS over the left DLPFC as an efficacious treatment for reduction of gambling urges and behavior in a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled design in which 36 GD patients will receive active or sham rTMS for 12 weeks.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age 18-65;

  • Current DSM-5 diagnosis of Gambling Disorder;

  • Right-handed;

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Current DSM-5 diagnosis of Schizophrenia Spectrum and other Psychotic Disorders;

  • Current DSM-5 diagnosis of Bipolar and related Disorders;

  • Use in the past 4 weeks of any medication with known pro-convulsant action; or currentregular use of any psychotropic medications (benzodiazepines, antipsychoticmedications, tricyclic antidepressants, anti-epileptics, mood stabilizers);

  • Any history of any clinically significant neurological disorder, including organicbrain disease, epilepsy, stroke, brain lesions, multiple sclerosis, previousneurosurgery, or personal history of head trauma that resulted in loss ofconsciousness for > 5 minutes and retrograde amnesia for > 30 minutes;

  • Any personal history of seizures other than febrile childhood seizures;

  • Presence of iron magnetic objects in the body contraindicated for treatments with rTMSand for participation in MRI sessions (pacemakers or other electrical devicesimplants, brain stimulators, some types of dental implants, aneurysm clips, metalimplants, permanent eyeliner, fragments of projectile);

  • Inability to remain lying on the back for up to 2 hours in the MRI plant;

  • Current DSM-5 diagnosis of any Substance Use disorder with the exception of TobaccoUse Disorder and Mild Alcohol Use Disorder;

  • Positive drug urine test to one or more classes of substances of abuse;

  • For female subjects: pregnancy or breastfeeding in progress;

  • Judicial provision that includes a cure in progress or if the subject is alreadyengaged in a cure for gambling disorder;

  • Any psychiatric, medical or social condition whether or not listed above, due towhich, in the judgment of the PI and after any consults if indicated, participation inthe study is not in the best interest of the patient;

Study Design

Total Participants: 36
Study Start date:
December 11, 2018
Estimated Completion Date:
August 31, 2022

Study Description

Gambling disorder (GD) is a progressive and recurrent maladaptive pattern of gambling behavior, leading to impaired functioning.

GD has been recategorized from an impulse control disorder to an addiction-related disorder in the fifth edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental (DSM-5) reflecting the growing evidence of the substantially overlapping between the neurobiology of GD and substance use disorders (SUDs). Both GD and SUDs are characterized by malfunction in reward, stress and cognitive-control circuits, which underlie manifestations such as compulsive gambling or compulsive drug consumption, craving, altered reward sensitivity, impaired self-control and decision-making processes. Particularly, similar alterations in cortico-limbic-striatal and prefrontal control circuits have been shown associated to the emergence of drug cravings and gambling urges. Hence, craving might be seen as a core component across addictions. Indeed, identifying and targeting the neurocircuit alterations underlying craving, may allow to treat this feature across different addictions with similar strategies.

In this regard, High frequency (HF) repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (l-DLPFC), is a promising approach for modulating brain circuits underlying cue-induced craving. Since alterations in these circuits have been shown to underlie the emergence of gambling urges, HF rTMS may represent a potential treatment also for GD patients.

Thus, the main goals of this clinical trial are to 1) assess whether HF rTMS over l-DLPFC reduces urges to gamble and problem behaviors gambling related; 2) investigate whether rTMS induces hemodynamics changes in DLPFC activity in response to specific tasks that elicit such areas as visual stimuli associated with gambling; 3) assess whether rTMS induces improvements in decision making processes of GD patients; and 4) evaluate the effects of HF rTMS over l-DLPFC on resting functional connectivity, focusing mainly in connectivity changes of cortical and subcortical regions involved in this disorder.

Connect with a study center

  • Casa di Cura Park Villa Napoleon

    Preganziol, Treviso 31022
    Italy

    Active - Recruiting

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