Brain Stimulation Techniques in the Treatment of Nicotine Dependence: A Review of the Literature

Background: Nicotine dependence accounts for significant mortality, morbidity, and socioeconomic burdens. Its use remains a significant public health concern since it is among the leading causes of mortality worldwide and is the leading cause of preventable death in developed countries. Despite the availability of approved medications to treat nicotine dependence along with cognitive-behavioral therapy, only 6% of the total number of smokers who report wanting to quit each year are successful in doing so for more than a month along with poor abstinence rates. Among alternative therapeutic approaches, attenuation of cue-elicited craving with neurostimulation techniques is a growing area of attention.  Methods: We reviewed the literature on repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, intermittent theta-burst stimulation and deep transcranial magnetic stimulation in the treatment of nicotine addiction. Results: Most of these studies found that neurostimulation techniques are safe and effective in the reduction of craving to nicotine as well as in the reduction of cigarette consumption. Conclusions: Given these promising results, future controlled studies with larger samples and optimal stimulus parameters should be designed to confirm these findings.