Hippocampal transcranial temporal interference stimulation reduced craving in methamphetamine use disorder.

BACKGROUND

Craving is a key challenge in treating methamphetamine use disorder (MUD). The memory reconsolidation theory indicates that interference with MUD after drug memory retrieval helps to reduce craving. Previous studies have demonstrated the importance of the hippocampus in memory consolidation, but traditional non-invasive interventions cannot effectively locate and intervene in the hippocampus. Although tTIS can accurately intervene in deep brain regions, it is still unknown whether tTIS intervention on the MUD hippocampus is effective in reducing craving.

METHOD: A total of 40 male participants with MUD were randomized to active or sham tTIS. Active tTIS delivered a 10 Hz electric field to the hippocampus for 20 min per day over 10 consecutive days, while sham stimulation lasted only 1 min per day during the same period. We also assessed its effects on craving, cognitive function and emotional symptoms at baseline, post intervention and one month follow-up.

RESULTS

A two-way repeated-measures analysis of variances (ANOVAs) on drug cue-induced craving revealed a significant group × time interaction effect (F (2, 108) = 5.652, P = 0.005). Post hoc paired t-test indicated a significant decrease in craving in the active tTIS group (t = 5.04, P = 0.002) after the intervention and one month follow-up (t = 6.04, P < 0.001). In contrast, no significant changes were observed in the sham group.

CONCLUSIONS

In this trial, 10 Hz tTIS was effective for METH craving reduction in MUD. Further trials are needed to explore neural mechanisms of tTIS.