Journal of International Psychiatry

Background: Cognitive impairment is one of the main psychiatric symptoms of alcohol dependence (AD) patients. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has become an effective treatment for various mental disorders, but its specific mechanism and role in the treatment of alcohol dependence remain unclear.Methods: 59 AD patients were included in this study, and divided into rTMS stimulation and rTMS placebo stimulation group through a double-blind randomized experiment. The cognitive function was assessed by stroop color word test and wisconsin card sorting test, and the mechanism of action of rTMS was explored by detecting the level of BDNF.Results: Compared with rTMS placebo stimulation group, rTMS stimulation group effectively improved the cognitive function of AD patients. In Stroop color word test, there were significant differences in word correct number, word omitted number, word color consistent correct number and word color independent correct number (P < 0.05). In Wisconsin card sorting test, the number of correct responses, the number of false responses, the number of random errors and the number of completed sorting were significant differences (P < 0.05). The serum BDNF level in AD patients was significant differences (P < 0.05).Conclusion: rTMS can effectively improve the cognitive function and serum BDNF level in AD patients.

Alcohol; Alcohol dependence; Brain-derived neurotrophic factor; Cognitive function; Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation