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Cerebral Hemodynamics With rTMS in Alcohol Dependence: A Randomized, Sham-Controlled Study
Biswa Ranjan Mishra1, Rituparna Maiti1, S Haque Nizamie1
1From the Dept. of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar (BRM); the Dept. of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar (RM); and the Center for Cognitive Neurosciences, Central Institute of Psychiatry, Kanke, Ranchi, India (SHN).
High-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) improved cerebral hemodynamics in alcohol dependence. This treatment normalized blood flow and vascular resistance in alcohol-dependent individuals compared to sham treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Clinical Medicine
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Alcohol dependence is associated with significant alterations in cerebral hemodynamics.
- Understanding these hemodynamic changes is crucial for developing effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cerebral hemodynamic changes in alcohol dependence.
- To evaluate the efficacy of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in improving these parameters.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, single-blind, randomized, sham-controlled study involving 75 participants (25 alcohol-dependent active rTMS, 25 alcohol-dependent sham rTMS, 25 healthy controls).
- Cerebral hemodynamic indices (mean velocity, pulsatility index, resistance index) of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and anterior cerebral artery (ACA) were measured using transcranial Doppler sonography at baseline and post-intervention.
- Active rTMS or sham rTMS was administered daily for 10 sessions.
Main Results:
- Alcohol-dependent subjects exhibited significantly reduced mean velocity (MV) in both MCA and ACA, and increased pulsatility index (PI) of MCA and resistance index (RI) of ACA compared to healthy controls.
- Active rTMS intervention led to significant improvements in MV, PI, and RI of MCA and ACA, unlike the sham rTMS group.
- Statistically significant differences in MV and RI were observed between the active and sham rTMS groups post-intervention.
Conclusions:
- Alcohol dependence significantly alters cerebral hemodynamic parameters, indicating impaired cerebral blood flow and increased vascular resistance.
- High-frequency rTMS demonstrates potential as a therapeutic tool to ameliorate these alcohol-induced hemodynamic disturbances.
- rTMS offers a promising non-invasive approach to managing neurological complications associated with alcohol dependence.
