Gamma Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation Improves Craving and Cognition in Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder: An Open Label Pilot Study

Abstract

Objective: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is one of the most common psychiatric disorders worldwide. It often shows a chronic course, and pharmacological treatment is rather ineffective for maintaining abstinence. New non-invasive brain stimulation techniques could help to improve AUD symptoms by rebalancing and synchronizing the disturbed prefrontal brain function and thus reduce craving. This study aims at evaluating the use of gamma transcranial alternating current stimulation to improve clinical und neuropsychological symptoms in patients with AUD. Methods: In this small open label study, six patients suffering from AUD for several years underwent treatment with prefrontal gamma transcranial alternating current stimulation for 10 min twice daily respectively 20 min once per day for 10 days. Clinical and neuropsychological tests as well as craving were assessed over the course of treatment. Results: Scores of the Alcohol Craving Questionnaire decreased in all patients and cognitive functions assessed by word fluency and computer-based n-back test improved. Conclusions: This new non-invasive brain stimulation technique could be of interest in treating craving symptoms and in maintaining abstinence.