tDCS Targeting the DLPFC for Reducing Cigarette Craving and Risky Decision Making

Cigarette smoking is a prevalent addictive behavior. Despite its well-known health risks, many individuals are unable to quit. One of the key factors contributing to the failure of smoking cessation efforts is the presence of craving and the tendency toward risk-taking behaviors. Noninvasive brain stimulation techniques have recently emerged as potential treatments for addiction. The present study is a pilot trial examining the impact of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) on risk-taking, electroencephalogram frequency power, and their relationship with cue-induced nicotine craving in smokers.

In this double-blind study, which is part of a larger randomized clinical trial, 63 cigarette smokers who met the international classification of disease-10 (ICD-10) criteria for tobacco addiction were enrolled. tDCS sham, left anodal/right cathodal, and right anodal/left cathodal tDCS will be applied to three participant groups. Participants were required to refrain from smoking for at least 2 hours before the study visit. The effects of tDCS on cue-triggered nicotine craving, certain risky decision-making tasks, and some resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) frequency power analyses will be evaluated both before and after tDCS (2 mA for 20 minutes) applied to the DLPFC on 5 consecutive days.

Although several studies have reported that tDCS may have beneficial effects on drug abuse by suppressing the degrees of cravings, impulsivity, and risk decision making, to date, no study has evaluated the impact of tDCS on the DLPFC and its relationship with EEG frequency power characteristics. The results of this study are anticipated to represent a significant step toward improving smoking cessation efforts. The findings from this randomized controlled trial will explore the therapeutic potential of tDCS in treating nicotine addiction among smokers.