New research from the University of Missouri School of Medicine suggests there may be another way to treat cigarette cravings. Researchers found that theta-burst transcranial magnetic stimulation (TBS)—strong, rapidly fluctuating magnetic field pulses that can affect brain activity—can lead to improved self-control, reduced cravings and as a result, less smoking.
tend to have significant structural and functional differences in the brain, compared to healthy non-smokers. Smoking cigarettes has been shown to be associated with less gray matter, which means they have less neurons and other cells in the brain., which is our control over automatic urges and response to stimuli—what enables humans to stop an impulsive reaction to something.
TBS refers to when magnetic pulses are applied to the brain in bursts of three and come in two forms: continuous TBS and intermittent TBS . cTBS consists of applying these three bursts repeatedly for 40 seconds, whereas iTBS applies the same number of pulses irregularly for more than 190 seconds. Magnetic stimulation has been used to treat other mental illnesses and disorders. cTBS has been experimentally tested to treat generalized anxiety disorder, whereas iTBS to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex—a part of your brain responsible forThe study involved 37 participants, mostly in their late 40's, and examined the effects of both cTBS and iTBS to the right inferior frontal gyrus, a brain region heavily involved with IC.
"Identifying treatments that improve IC may help reduce smoking and can potentially help with preventing relapse following when a person attempts to quit smoking," Froeliger said."Treatments that improve IC may also help disrupt the cycle of drug use among individuals with other; however, further research is needed to examine the clinical value of TBS for treating substance use disorders.
"Effects of Hyperdirect Pathway Theta-Burst Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Inhibitory Control, Craving, and Smoking in Adults with Nicotine Dependence: A Double-Blind Randomized Crossover Trial" was recently
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Researchers identify new blood marker for dopamine system damageThe marker in question is called DOPA decarboxylase (DCC). In the current study, DCC was found to be elevated in individuals with Parkinson's disease as well as in people with other diseases that result in dopamine deficiency in the brain. However, the marker was normal in other brain diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. The researchers even noticed that DCC was elevated in individuals with Parkinson's many years before they developed any symptoms.
Read more »
Cancer surgery survivor helping researchers in new studySharon Applin had all the organs in her pelvis removed and wants her experience to aid other patients.
Read more »
Gaining new insights into neurological diseases by studying circular RNAs in brain cellsResearchers are gaining new insights into neurological diseases by studying circular RNAs (circRNAs) in brain cells.
Read more »
Brain mechanism may explain why breastfeeding mothers leak milk when babies cryResearchers in New York identified the process for the oxytocin release in mother mice.
Read more »
Brain mechanism may explain why breastfeeding mothers leak milk when babies cryResearchers in New York identified the process for the oxytocin release in mother mice.
Read more »
New Xbox controller will take on PS5 DualSense with new featuresA new and improved Xbox controller is planned for next year, with new haptic and motion control features.
Read more »