Tobacco Use Disorder
Tobacco Use Disorder affects brain function in measurable ways that QEEG brain mapping can identify. At Peak Brain Institute, we use quantitative EEG to assess individual patterns related to tobacco use disorder, then design personalized neurofeedback protocols targeting those specific signatures. Explore our 2 research papers covering this topic.
Research Papers
Individualized real-time fMRI neurofeedback to attenuate craving in nicotine-dependent smokers
BACKGROUND: Cue-induced craving plays an important role in relapse, and the neural correlates of cue-induced craving have been elucidated using fMRI. This study examined the utility of real-time fMRI (rtfMRI) neurofeedback to strengthen self-regulation of craving-related neural activation and cue-reactivity in cigarette smokers. METHODS: Nicotine-dependent smokers were randomized to rtfMRI neurofeedback or to a no-feedback control group. Participants completed 3 neuroimaging visits. Within each visit, an initial run during which smoking-related cues were used to provoke craving, an individualized craving-related region of interest (ROI) in the prefrontal cortex or anterior cingulate cortex was identified. In the rtfMRI group, activity from the ROI was fed back via a visual display during 3 subsequent runs while participants were instructed to reduce craving during cue exposure. The control group had an identical experience with no feedback provided. RESULTS: Forty-four nicotine-dependent smokers were recruited to participate in our study; data from the 33 participants who completed a 1-week follow-up visit were included in the analysis. Subjective craving ratings and cue-induced brain activation were lower in the rtfMRI group than in the control group. LIMITATIONS: As participants were not seeking treatment, clinical outcomes are lacking. CONCLUSION: Nicotine-dependent smokers receiving rtfMRI feedback from an individualized ROI attenuated smoking cue-elicited neural activation and craving, relative to a control group. Further studies are needed in treatment-seeking smokers to determine if this intervention can translate into a clinically meaningful treatment modality.
View Full Paper →Real-time fMRI in the treatment of nicotine dependence: a conceptual review and pilot studies
Technical advances allowing for the analysis of functional MRI (fMRI) results in real time have led to studies exploring the ability of individuals to use neural feedback signals to modify behavior and regional brain activation. The use of real-time fMRI (rtfMRI) feedback has been explored for therapeutic benefit in a number of disease states, but to our knowledge, the potential therapeutic benefit of rtfMRI feedback in the treatment of addictive disorders has not been explored. This article will provide an overview of the development of rtfMRI and discussion of its potential uses in the treatment of addictions. We also describe a series of pilot studies that highlight some of the technical challenges in developing a rtfMRI feedback paradigm for use in addictions, specifically in nicotine dependence. Because the use of rtfMRI feedback is in its infancy, the work described is focused on establishing some of the basic parameters in optimizing the rtfMRI feedback, such as the type of feedback signal, region of interest for feedback and predicting which subjects are most likely to respond well to training. While rtfMRI feedback remains an intriguing possibility for the treatment of addictions, much work remains to be done in establishing its efficacy.
View Full Paper →Related Topics
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