Chronic smoking impairs brain functions in the prefrontal cortex and the projecting meso-cortical limbic system. The purpose of this pilot study is to examine whether modulating the frontal brain activity using high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can improve smoking cessation and to explore the changing pattern of the brain activity after treatment. Fourteen treatment-seeking smokers were offered a program involving 10 days of rTMS treatment with a follow-up for another 25 days. A frequency of 20 Hz rTMS was sequentially applied on the left dorso-lateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and the superior medial frontal cortex (SMFC). The carbon monoxide (CO) level, withdrawal, craving scales, and neuroimaging data were collected. Ten smokers completed the entire treatment program, and 90% of them did not smoke during the 25-day follow-up time. A significant smoking craving reduction and resting brain activity reduction measured by the cerebral blood flow (CBF) and brain entropy (BEN) were observed after 10 days of 20 Hz rTMS treatments compared to the baseline. Although limited by sample size, these pilot findings definitely showed a high potential of multiple-target high-frequency rTMS in smoking cessation and the utility of fMRI for objectively assessing the treatment effects.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6166007 | PMC |
http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2018.00344 | DOI Listing |
J Clin Psychiatry
January 2025
Psychotic Disorders Division, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts.
Individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) have a shorter life expectancy compared to the general population, largely due to cardiovascular disease (CVD). In this report from the Fixed Dose Intervention Trial of New England Enhancing Survival in SMI Patients (FITNESS), we examined baseline CVD risk factors and their treatment in patients with SMI and second generation antipsychotic (SGA) use. FITNESS enrolled 204 participants with SMI and SGA use, but without documented history of CVD or diabetes mellitus, from several clinics in the Boston, Massachusetts, area between April 29, 2015, and September 26, 2019.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTob Prev Cessat
January 2025
School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
Introduction: The global burden of tobacco is a significant public health concern, causing millions of deaths, illnesses, and economic losses annually. In Türkiye, tobacco use is deeply ingrained in society, with historical roots dating back to Ottoman times. The nation faces challenges such as high smoking rates, gender disparities, and the popularity of non-cigarette tobacco products.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDrug Alcohol Depend Rep
September 2024
Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Introduction: Opioid overdose mortality rates have surged dramatically in the last decade due largely to fentanyl in the illicit US drug supply. As of June 2024, 38 states, three territories, namely US Virgin Islands, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, and the District of Columbia, allow the medical use of cannabis products. However, there remains limited qualitative community-based evidence on the role of cannabis co-use among opioid using and injecting populations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArthritis Care Res (Hoboken)
January 2025
Department of Health Services Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX.
Objective: In this study, we explored physicians' level of experience with patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who used tobacco; their views on the effects of tobacco use on the efficacy of RA treatments; and their experiences and attitudes with respect to tobacco cessation programs.
Methods: We conducted qualitative, semi-structured interviews of 20 physicians (10 primary-care physicians [PCPs] and 10 rheumatologists).
Results: The physicians had been in clinical practice for a mean of 9.
Curr Probl Cardiol
January 2025
School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Hargeis, Hargeisa 25263, Somaliland, Somalia.
Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are leading contributors to global morbidity and mortality, with low- and middle-income countries experiencing disproportionately high burdens. In Somaliland, urbanization and lifestyle transitions have increased the prevalence of CVDs, necessitating an in-depth exploration of associated risk factors.
Objective: This study investigated the relationship between lifestyle factors and CVD prevalence among adult patients in Somaliland using data from the Hargeisa Group Hospital in 2024.
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!