Tobacco smoking is a significant determinant of preventable morbidity and mortality worldwide. It is now possible to modulate the activity of the neurocircuitry associated with nicotine dependence using repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS), a non-invasive neurostimulation approach, which has recently demonstrated efficacy in clinical trials and received regulatory approval in the US and Canada. However there remains a paucity of replication studies and real-world patient effectiveness data as access to this intervention is extremely limited. There are a number of unique challenges related to the delivery of rTMS that need to be addressed prior to widespread adoption and implementation of this treatment modality for smoking cessation. In this paper, we review the accessibility, scientific, technological, economical, and social challenges that remain before this treatment can be translated into clinical practice. By addressing these remaining barriers and scientific challenges with rTMS for smoking cessation and delineating implementation strategies, we can greatly reduce the burden of tobacco-related disease worldwide.
Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest Dr. Tang receives research support through the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation, the Physician Services Incorporated Foundation, Research in Addiction Medicine Scholars (RAMS) Program (R25DA033211) from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and the Labatt Family Network for Research on the Biology of Depression. Dr. Blumberger receives research support from CIHR, NIH, Brain Canada and the Temerty Family through the CAMH Foundation. He received research support and in-kind equipment support for an investigator-initiated study from Brainsway Ltd. and has been the site principal investigator for three sponsor-initiated studies for Brainsway Ltd. He also received in-kind equipment support from Magventure for 3 investigator-initiated studies. He received medication supplies for an investigator-initiated trial from Indivior. He has participated in one Scientific Advisory Board Meeting for Janssen and one meeting for Welcony Inc. Dr. Bernard Le Foll has obtained funding from Pfizer Inc. (GRAND Awards, including salary support) for investigator-initiated projects. Dr Le Foll has obtained funding from Indivior for a clinical trial sponsored by Indivior. Dr. Le Foll has in-kind donations of cannabis products from Aurora Cannabis Enterprises Inc. and study medication donations from Pfizer Inc. (varenicline for smoking cessation) and Bioprojet Pharma. He was also provided a coil for a Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) study from Brainsway. Dr. Selby reports receiving funding support for research from Pfizer Inc., Ontario Brain Institute, Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute, and Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Dr. Le Foll has obtained industry funding from Canopy Growth Corporation (through research grants handled by the centre for Addiction and Mental Health and the University of Toronto), Bioprojet Pharma, Alcohol Countermeasure Systems (ACS), Alkermes and Universal Ibogaine. Lastly, Dr. Le Foll has received in kind donations of nabiximols from GW Pharmaceuticals for past studies funded by CIHR and NIH. He has participated in a session of a National Advisory Board Meeting (Emerging Trends BUP-XR) for Indivior Canada and is part of Steering Board for a clinical trial for Indivior. He has been consultant for Shinogi. He is supported by CAMH, Waypoint centre for Mental Health Care, a clinician-scientist award from the department of Family and Community Medicine of the University of Toronto and a Chair in Addiction Psychiatry from the department of Psychiatry of University of Toronto.
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