Open AccessA Light in the Darkness: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) to Treat the Hedonic Dysregulation of Addiction
Author(s) -
Mauro Pettorruso,
Massimo Di Giannantonio,
Luisa De Risio,
Giovanni Martinotti,
George F. Koob
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of addiction medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.264
H-Index - 42
eISSN - 1935-3227
pISSN - 1932-0620
DOI - 10.1097/adm.0000000000000575
Subject(s) - transcranial magnetic stimulation , addiction , psychopathology , neuroscience , medicine , craving , psychiatry , psychological intervention , psychology , stimulation
: The present paper discusses the potential use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for the treatment of addiction, within a conceptual framework that includes the "dark side" of addiction. New findings suggest that rTMS may rescue specific reward system dysfunction that underlies the pathophysiology of addiction by exposing widely under-recognized and untreated key clinical and psychopathological aspects of addictive disorders. Our paper sheds light on the relevance of these hidden dimensions for the development of effective treatment interventions. In particular, we argue that rTMS may have an impact on craving by reversing the allostatic load of hedonic dysregulation.