1. Gambling disorder and bilateral transcranial direct current stimulation: A case report.
- Author
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MARTINOTTI, GIOVANNI, CHILLEMI, ELEONORA, LUPI, MATTEO, DE RISIO, LUISA, PETTORRUSO, MAURO, and DI GIANNANTONIO, MASSIMO
- Subjects
TRANSCRANIAL direct current stimulation ,COMPULSIVE gambling ,PREFRONTAL cortex - Abstract
Introduction: Gambling disorder (GD) is a major public health concern with currently no validated and efficacious treatments approved. In this single case study, we report the short- and long-term effect of bilateral transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) on craving and impulse control in a subject with GD. Methods: The patient is a 26-year-old Caucasian male with an 8-year history of GD as well as alcohol and cocaine misuse. Treatment consisted of twice-a-day stimulation for 10 days. According to the literature, both the left (to control craving) and the right (to control emotional impulses) DLPFC were stimulated. Patients subsequently received tDCS once a week for 3 months and then once every 2 weeks for another 3 months. Results: After 10 days of treatment, the subject reported improved psychiatric symptoms (depression, anxiety, and impulsivity), as well as reduced gambling craving symptom severity. After 3 and 6 months of treatment, the clinical picture further improved. Discussion: This is the first report of tDCS effectiveness in a single case study of GD. Therapeutic effects, both on the addictive behavior and on psychiatric comorbid symptomatology, were lasting and continued over 6 months of tDCS maintenance treatment. Future case-control studies are required to test the efficacy of this tool in patients with GD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
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