Introducción
Recent investigations suggest that an accelerated approach to repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) may offer treatment benefits for individuals with co-occurring methamphetamine use disorder and depression. This initial data comes from a small feasibility trial.
Protocolo de Estudio
The study protocol involved 10-minute sessions of intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS), administered at least 50 minutes apart over a span of 50 sessions within 3 weeks. Prior to each session, participants were exposed to images designed to trigger cravings.
After 12 treatment visits, there were notable reductions in self-reported cravings for methamphetamine and overall depression severity among participants, according to Manish Jha, MBBS, from UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.
Resultados Inmediatos
Participants reported little change in cravings induced by cues; however, after the fourth iTBS session of the day, they indicated improvements in their ability to resist using methamphetamines. Jha mentioned, “We didn’t see much change in cue-induced craving,” but observed some positive signals in self-reported cravings.
The findings support the feasibility of employing accelerated iTBS as a treatment option for methamphetamine use disorder.
Aumento de la Prevalencia y Necesidad de Tratamientos
Jha highlighted that overdose deaths involving methamphetamine have significantly surged over the past decade, with a nearly 6- to 7-fold increase. Regions such as California, Arizona, and New Mexico have become particularly affected by this trend.
Currently, there are no FDA-approved treatments specifically for methamphetamine use disorder, with no medications commonly recommended by guidelines from relevant addiction medicine and psychiatry organizations.
Desarrollo de Nuevos Tratamientos
Despite some progress, there is an urgent need to develop new treatment strategies for this condition. A 2021 randomized trial indicated that a combination of extended-release naltrexone and bupropion slightly reduced drug use among participants, but the overall impact remains modest.
Diseño y Evaluación del Estudio
The traditional approach for TMS has typically involved daily sessions five days a week for 6 to 8 weeks. However, this new trial observed that 94.7% of 20 participants with methamphetamine use disorder completed a notable number of sessions using the accelerated protocol.
Future multi-site randomized controlled trials are essential to validate and broaden the findings from this initial study.
Nota de Descargo de Responsabilidad
Los tratamientos mencionados en este texto son exploratorios y no deben sustituir el consejo médico profesional. Consulta siempre a un especialista de la salud antes de iniciar cualquier tratamiento.
Fuente: https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/asfnr/123367
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