Theta Burst TMS as a Tool to Change Smoking Behavior

Prior and recent evidence suggests a role of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in cigarette
smoking. The present study will examine whether a five-day regimen of theta-burst
transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) reduces cigarette smoking outside of the lab
(examined through self-report and physiological measures) and motivation to smoke inside the
lab (examined through behavioral tasks and functional MRI).

Inclusion Criteria:

- smoke at least 10 cigarettes a day (on average)

Exclusion Criteria:

- comorbid mental or physical illness (managed or unmanaged)

- pregnancy

- use of prescription medication that might affect smoking or nicotine metabolism,

- use of smokeless tobacco or alternative nicotine products

- use illicit drugs of abuse (verified through urine screen and self-report),

- score of above a 7 on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (indicative of
non-risky use),

- a history of epilepsy or seizures not otherwise specified (other than childhood
febrile seizures)

- a history of chronic migraines,

- failure to meet all criteria on a standardized MRI/TMS safety screen (including but
not limited to implanted electronic devices, bullets or metallic fragments above the
waist, hair clips and piercings above the waist that cannot be removed)

- presence of any barriers to making contact between the TMS coil and the skin (e.g.
cornrows that cannot be removed, glasses that the participant is unwilling to remove).