Gambling Disorder and Bilateral Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation: A Case Report

Overview

Journal J Behav Addict

Publisher Akademiai Kiado

Specialties Psychiatry
Social Sciences

Date 2018 Sep 29

PMID 30264605

Citations 5

Authors

Giovanni Martinotti

Eleonora Chillemi

Matteo Lupi

Luisa De Risio

Mauro Pettorruso

Massimo Di Giannantonio

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Introduction: Gambling disorder (GD) is a major public health concern with currently no validated and efficacious treatments approved. In this single case study, we report the short- and long-term effect of bilateral transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) on craving and impulse control in a subject with GD.

Methods: The patient is a 26-year-old Caucasian male with an 8-year history of GD as well as alcohol and cocaine misuse. Treatment consisted of twice-a-day stimulation for 10 days. According to the literature, both the left (to control craving) and the right (to control emotional impulses) DLPFC were stimulated. Patients subsequently received tDCS once a week for 3 months and then once every 2 weeks for another 3 months.

Results: After 10 days of treatment, the subject reported improved psychiatric symptoms (depression, anxiety, and impulsivity), as well as reduced gambling craving symptom severity. After 3 and 6 months of treatment, the clinical picture further improved.

Discussion: This is the first report of tDCS effectiveness in a single case study of GD. Therapeutic effects, both on the addictive behavior and on psychiatric comorbid symptomatology, were lasting and continued over 6 months of tDCS maintenance treatment. Future case-control studies are required to test the efficacy of this tool in patients with GD.

Citing Articles

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The involvement of spontaneous brain activity in natural recovery from internet gaming disorder: A resting-state fMRI study.

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Improvement of Impulsivity and Decision Making by Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation of the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex in a Patient with Gambling Disorder.

Salatino A, Miccolis R, Gammeri R, Ninghetto M, Belli F, Nobili M J Gambl Stud. 2021; 38(2):627-634.

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Non-invasive Brain Stimulation for Gambling Disorder: A Systematic Review.

Zucchella C, Mantovani E, Federico A, Lugoboni F, Tamburin S Front Neurosci. 2020; 14:729.

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