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Team Project Name detail, especially those responsible for alcohol-
related cognitive impairments (Aim 4).
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)
for the treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD): A This study will contribute to elucidating the
reverse translational research neurophysiological mechanisms of AUD, advancing
our knowledge of neuromodulation techniques, and
Research Project eventually the better treatment for AUD patients.
Together, this study is expected to provide great
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a leading cause of socio-economic impacts.
disease burden worldwide and its prevalence in
Taiwan has been rising for past decades. Although Key Words
psychosocial and pharmacological treatments have Brain Research Center at National Defense
been used for the treatment of AUD, the effect is Medical Center, Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD),
limited and the relapse rate is high. Alcohol-related cognitive impairment, Repetitive
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS),
(rTMS) offers a promising new way of treatment for Reverse translational research, Brain imaging,
AUD. However, the optimal parameters for rTMS Neuroimaging, Neuroinflammation, Translocator
treatment and the mechanisms by which rTMS protein (TSPO), Dopamine, Non-Human Primate
modulates the neural system are still elusive. (NHP), Neurophysiology, Cognitive behavior
To tackle these questions, we propose a Global Cooperation
combinatorial approach using a randomized,
double-blind, sham-controlled clinical trial, together Provide a platform of NHP models including but
with multimodal imaging techniques, genetic not limited to AUD or related disorders for potential
profiling, electrophysiological recording, cognitive therapeutic target or drugs
behavior tests, and the use of non-human primate The ultimate aim of clinical applications in this
(NHP) model, to systematically investigate the project is to optimize the rTMS protocol to attain
therapeutic potentials of rTMS in the treatment of effective treatments for individuals with AUD.
AUD. Compared to traditional research that starts
with basic research in animal models and then
It is expected through this study, to obtain conclusive progresses to clinical trials in humans, our reverse-
evidence for the efficacy of rTMS in the treatment translational research takes an opposite approach,
of AUD. The genetic profiling and comprehensive starting with clinical observations in humans and
psycho-social interviewing of AUD patients will then working backward to identify the underlying
characterize the epidemiology of AUD in Taiwan (Aim biological mechanisms and better treatment (here,
1). An imaging biomarker that correlates with the rTMS) protocols in an NHP model. This approach
patient’s clinical symptoms can be extremely useful will allow us to tackle the issue of inconsistent
for the evaluation of disease severity, progression, effectiveness and unclear mechanisms in the
and treatment outcomes (Aim 2). clinical use of rTMS in the past.
On the other hand, the use of NHP model allows Project Web Page
us to examine how various stimulation protocols
of rTMS would differently modulate the neural
systems (Aim 3), which is not feasible to be done in
humans. Finally, the development of an NHP model
of AUD will open the venue for future research to
study the underlying mechanisms of AUD in further
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