Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Cigarette Addiction

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Tobacco addiction is treatable with behavioral and pharmacological means, but results are often less than optimal. Transcranial direct current stimulation is a new non-invasive technique that applies weak electrical currents through the skull and has been shown to alter the excitability of certain brain areas. It is currently being tried in disorders where there is abnormal brain excitability, such as epilepsy and depression. A few studies have also been able to diminish drug craving, suggesting that brain excitability might also be altered in drug addiction. This study aims at non-invasively changing the excitability of certain brain areas-a procedure called neuromodulation- in order to help smokers quit smoking more easily.

Official Title
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Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation of the Prefrontal Cortex on Cigarette Smoking

Conditions
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Addiction

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Placebo
* Device: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: smokers Exclusion Criteria: use of psychoactive drugs age above 70

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 70 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation<br>These subjects will receive real transcranial direct current stimulation. | Device: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation<br>* Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a procedure that uses a small battery-driven unit to deliver weak electrical currents (1-2 mA) through the intact scalp. The procedure is painless and is thought to modulate the excitability of the underlying cerebral tissue for hours or days after sessions.<br>|
| Placebo Comparator: Sham tDCS<br>These subjects will receive sham transcranial direct current stimulation (placebo) | Other: Placebo<br>* Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a procedure that uses a small battery-driven unit to deliver weak electrical currents (1-2 mA) through the intact scalp. The procedure is painless and is thought to modulate the excitability of the underlying cerebral tissue for hours or days after sessions. In the placebo group the current will be off.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in Visual Analogue Scale of Cigarette Craving |  | Before and 7 days after treatment | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in Visual Analogue Scale of Motivation to Quit Smoking |  | Before and 7 days after intervention | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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cigarette smoking, smoking