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Intervention on Cue Reactivity in Methamphetamine Addicts Using Closed-Loop tACS

Poster No:

14 

Submission Type:

Abstract Submission 

Authors:

Lei Guo1, Yue Ding1, Tianzhen Chen1, Haifeng Jiang1, Hang Su1, Min Zhao1

Institutions:

1Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai, China

First Author:

Lei Guo  
Shanghai Mental Health Center
Shanghai, China

Co-Author(s):

Yue Ding  
Shanghai Mental Health Center
Shanghai, China
Tianzhen Chen  
Shanghai Mental Health Center
Shanghai, China
Haifeng Jiang  
Shanghai Mental Health Center
Shanghai, China
Hang Su  
Shanghai Mental Health Center
Shanghai, China
Min Zhao  
Shanghai Mental Health Center
Shanghai, China

Introduction:

Methamphetamine (MA) addiction represents a severe societal public health concern. Individuals addicted to methamphetamine exhibit intense cravings and physiological reactions when exposed to addiction-related cues, a phenomenon termed "cue reactivity." Cue reactivity is a critical factor in the development and persistence of addiction. Conventional pharmacological and physical interventions have certain limitations. Closed-loop physical interventions, which adjust stimulation parameters in real-time based on brain state, are an innovative approach with the potential to enhance the precision and efficiency of treatments. Closed-loop interventions based on transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) hold promise as a novel therapeutic method for treating methamphetamine addiction; however, further research is required.

Methods:

This study aims to investigate the effects of closed-loop tACS on cue reactivity in individuals with severe methamphetamine addiction. The research follows these steps: First, individuals with severe MA addiction undergo screening and assessment. Then, cue-elicited tasks, combined with EEG data collection, are used to identify neural characteristics of cue reactivity. A closed-loop tACS intervention system is subsequently developed. The effectiveness of different stimulation frequencies (6 Hz, 10 Hz, 40 Hz) is compared to determine the optimal frequency. Finally, the effectiveness of the optimal frequency in closed-loop tACS is compared to random stimulation and continuous stimulation to verify the specificity and advantages of the intervention. Primary outcome measures include inhibitory control ability (Stop-Signal Reaction Time, SSRT), cue reactivity, and resting-state EEG functional connectivity.

Results:

A total of 34 MA addicts meeting the inclusion criteria were selected. EEG signal analysis during cue-elicited tasks revealed a significant increase in theta band (3-8 Hz) power at specific electrodes when participants were exposed to drug-related stimuli. Based on this neural signature, a closed-loop tACS intervention system was developed. A comparison of different frequencies (6 Hz, 10 Hz, 40 Hz) showed that only 40 Hz closed-loop tACS significantly reduced neural reactivity to drug-related cues (t = -3.620, P = 0.007) while enhancing inhibitory control (t = -2.688, P = 0.031), thus establishing 40 Hz as the optimal stimulation frequency. Further comparisons between 40 Hz closed-loop tACS stimulation, random stimulation, and continuous stimulation demonstrated that 40 Hz closed-loop tACS was significantly more effective in reducing neural reactivity to drug cues and improving inhibitory control.

Conclusions:

This study investigated the neural characteristics of cue reactivity in individuals with severe MA addiction and developed a closed-loop tACS intervention system. Results indicate that MA addicts exhibit abnormal neural responses to drug cues, characterized by increased theta band activity in the parieto-occipital region. Closed-loop tACS effectively reduces cue reactivity in MA addicts while improving inhibitory control. The 40 Hz closed-loop tACS intervention proved to be more effective than both random and continuous stimulation, demonstrating the greater precision and efficacy of the closed-loop approach. These findings suggest that closed-loop tACS is a highly efficient and effective intervention method, offering a new perspective and approach for the precise treatment of methamphetamine addiction.

Brain Stimulation:

Non-invasive Electrical/tDCS/tACS/tRNS 1

Disorders of the Nervous System:

Psychiatric (eg. Depression, Anxiety, Schizophrenia)

Higher Cognitive Functions:

Executive Function, Cognitive Control and Decision Making 2

Modeling and Analysis Methods:

EEG/MEG Modeling and Analysis

Keywords:

Addictions
Electroencephaolography (EEG)

1|2Indicates the priority used for review
Supporting Image: 79e2baf5eb892dd6b89524184ea4b32.png
 

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