Accelerated rTMS in Gambling Disorder: a Multicentric, Randomized, Sham-controlled Trial

Launched by ITAB - INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED BIOMEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES · Aug 17, 2021

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a treatment called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for people who have a gambling disorder. Gambling disorder is a serious addiction that can cause significant problems in a person's life, including financial issues and relationship difficulties. The trial aims to see if rTMS, which uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain, can help reduce cravings and the frequency of gambling behaviors. Participants will receive either the real treatment or a placebo (sham treatment) over five days, followed by a 30-day follow-up period.

To be eligible for this trial, participants must be healthy adults aged 18 to 65 who have been diagnosed with gambling disorder. However, individuals with certain mental health conditions, significant neurological disorders, or those taking specific medications may not qualify. Participants can expect to take part in questionnaires, brain scans, and cognitive tests throughout the study. This trial is not yet recruiting, but it offers a potential new approach to help those struggling with gambling addiction.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Current diagnosis of Gambling Disorder, based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder - Fifth Edition (DSM-5);
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Current or pre-existing DSM-5 diagnosis of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or other psychotic disorder;
• • Use in the past 4 weeks of any medication with known pro-convulsant action, including antipsychotic medications, tricyclic antidepressants, and antihistamines drugs;
• • Medical history with significant neurological disorder, including organic brain disease, epilepsy, stroke, brain lesions and multiple sclerosis, previous neurosurgery, or personal history of head trauma that resulted in loss of consciousness for \> 5 minutes and retrograde amnesia for \> 30 minutes;
• • Any personal or family history (1st degree relatives) of seizures other than febrile childhood seizures;
• • Any psychiatric, medical or social condition whether or not listed above, due to which, according to the judgment of the PI and after any consults if indicated, participation in the study is not in the best interest of the patient;
• • For female patients: Pregnancy/breastfeeding.