TMS for Alcohol Use Disorder
Trial Summary
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial requires that your current medication regimen remains stable throughout the study. However, you must stop taking any medications that increase seizure risk at least two weeks before treatment.
What data supports the effectiveness of this treatment for alcohol use disorder?
Is repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) safe for humans?
How does the treatment TMS differ from other treatments for alcohol use disorder?
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is unique because it is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that targets specific brain areas to reduce alcohol cravings and use, unlike traditional treatments that often involve medication or therapy. It uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain, particularly the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, which is associated with addiction and cravings.12479
What is the purpose of this trial?
Alcohol Use Disorders are currently positioned as the third leading cause of preventable death in the United States, constituting a humanitarian crisis with substantial financial burden on society and medical facilities. While several pharmacological interventions exist, 60% of individuals who seek these treatments relapse to alcohol within 6 months. These high relapse rates are due in part to elevated brain response to alcohol cues in the environment. This study seeks to evaluate the efficacy of one session of functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) guided transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) as a strategy to reduce brain reactivity to alcohol cues.
Research Team
Daniel McCalley, PhD
Principal Investigator
Palo Alto VA Health Care System
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for individuals struggling with Alcohol Use Disorder. Participants should have a history of alcoholism and be seeking treatment. Specific details about inclusion and exclusion criteria are not provided, but typically these would outline health conditions, age range, and other factors relevant to the study.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants receive one session of fMRI-guided TMS targeting peak functional connectivity to the ventral striatum
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in brain reactivity to alcohol cues post-TMS
Treatment Details
Interventions
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is already approved in United States, Canada, European Union for the following indications:
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Major Depressive Disorder
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
VA Palo Alto Health Care System
Lead Sponsor
Stanford University
Collaborator
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Collaborator