Non-invasive neurostimulation techniques for the treatment of stimulant use disorders
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15529253 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Jordan Hendy (Monash University, corresponding author), Hannah Bereznicki (0000-0001-9149-9588, Deakin University), Robert M Lundin (0000-0002-5992-2822, Institute for Research, Education and Training in Addictions) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 17 |
| Pages | 1755441-1755441 |
| Publication date | 2026-02-04 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Psychiatry (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1664-0640 • E-ISSN: 1664-0640 |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1755441 |
| PMID | 41717562 |
| OpenAlex | W7127604882 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 99 |
Addictive disorders remain important contributors to the overall burden of disease, and although many have established treatments, stimulant use disorders (StUDs) still lack effective management options. Neurostimulation techniques, such as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation, have attracted addiction medicine researchers and clinicians, with many studies showing promise in reducing cravings and improving other clinical outcomes in participants, as well as modulating relevant brain areas. As a result, research output in this area is increasing rapidly. This narrative review aims to assess currently available research data on non-invasive neurostimulation techniques in patients with StUDs to inform future research requirements and clinical applications. This review was conducted using a comprehensive search strategy across PubMed, OVID Medline and PsycINFO databases, using terms including "stimulant use disorder*", "transcranial magnetic stimulation" and "craving*". The initial search was intentionally broad to effectively assess the breadth of literature on neurostimulation in addiction disorders generally, resulting in the return of 1317 sources. Search results were uploaded to Covidence and screened for inclusion. Upon narrowing the scope to isolate StUDs, 179 sources were included for full-text review, with 90 included for extraction. The most common outcome measure assessed was craving, with cognition, affective symptoms, sleep, and use patterns other frequently assessed measures. Overall, the results appear promising, with non-invasive neurostimulation variably improving cravings, cognition and affective outcomes in patients with StUDs. However, this review identified some limitations that require further research attention, including small sample sizes, short follow-up periods, protocol heterogeneity, and ill-representative samples
Addiction · Brain stimulation · Craving · MEDLINE · Neurostimulation · PsycINFO · Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation · Transcranial magnetic stimulation · Electroconvulsive Therapy Studies · Neuroethics, Human Enhancement, Biomedical Innovations · Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Studies
A Systematic Review of the Effect of Short Term Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Therapy in Methamphetamine Use Disorder
RTMS Reduces Psychopathological Burden and Cocaine Consumption in Treatment-Seeking Subjects With Cocaine Use Disorder
A Retrospective Comparative Study in Patients With Cocaine Use Disorder Comorbid With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Undergoing an rTMS Protocol Treatment
The Counterproductive Effect of Right Anodal/Left Cathodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Over the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex on Impulsivity in Methamphetamine Addicts
Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation vs. High-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in the Treatment of Methamphetamine Patients
Bilateral Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation of the Prefrontal Cortex Reduces Cocaine Intake
State-Dependent Effects of Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex Continuous Thetaburst Stimulation on Cocaine Cue Reactivity in Chronic Cocaine Users
Role of maintenance treatment on long-term efficacy of bilateral iTBS of the prefrontal cortex in treatment-seeking cocaine addicts
Low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex transiently increases cue-induced craving for methamphetamine
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |