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Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Gambling Disorder

NCT03336879 · Status: UNKNOWN · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 10

Last updated 2017-11-08

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Background: An imbalance between prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the mesolimbic reward system has been suggested to contribute to GD. GD patients showed increased functional connectivity between regions of the PFC and mesolimbic reward system, as well as reduced connectivity in the area of the PFC. The altered interaction between prefrontal structures and the mesolimbic reward system in GD shares similarity with functional organization reported in Substances Use Disorders (SUDs), suggesting a more general pathophysiology for addictive disorders

Objectives: To test if rTMS can reduce craving and playing in Gambling Disorder, and also affect several mood, behavioral and cognitive alterations associated with prolonged Gambling Disorder.

Eligibility: Healthy, right-handed adults ages 18-65 who do have Gambling Disorder.

Design: This is a non-randomized, open label study. The study includes three phases: 1) a rTMS continued treatment phase; 2) a rTMS follow-up; and 3) a no rTMS follow-up.

Prior to participating, participants will be screened with:

* Questionnaires
* Cognitive tests
* Medical history
* Physical exam

After being enrolled, baseline behavioral and imaging data will be collected. In particular, participants will undergo:

* Questionnaires
* Cognitive tests

During the continued rTMS phase, participants with Gambling Disorder will receive real rTMS. Repetitive TMS will be delivered during 10 outpatient treatment days, over 2 weeks (5 days/week). Following this phase, subjects will have 12 follow-up visits (once/weekly), during which they will receive rTMS, and behavioral assessments will be performed. At the end of the rTMS follow up period, participants will further receive 3 follow up visits (once a month), during which rTMS will not be performed, but behavioral data will be collected.

Treatment includes:

* rTMS: A coil is placed on the head. Brief electrical current passes through the coil. At each visit, participants will receive two rTMS sessions, with a 1hr interval between sessions. At the beginning of each rTMS session, they view gambling-related images for few minutes.
* Repeat of screening tests and questionnaires

Conditions

  • Gambling Disorder

Interventions

DEVICE

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique. The investigators will use a MagPro R30 with the Cool-B80 figure-of-eight coil (MagVenture, Falun, Denmark).

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • ITAB - Institute for Advanced Biomedical Technologies

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Massimo di Giannantonio, MD · Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences (ITAB) - University G. d'Annunzio - Chieti (Italy)

Study Design

Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Model
SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
65 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2017-11-01
Primary Completion
2018-12-30
Completion
2020-12-30

Countries

  • Italy

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT03336879 on ClinicalTrials.gov