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NCT03470480From ClinicalTrials.govRecruiting

rTMS for Craving in Methamphetamine Use Disorder

The Use of Repetitive Transmagnetic Stimulation to Target Craving in Methamphetamine Use Disorder

  • Methamphetamine Abuse
  • Substance Use Disorders
  • Stimulant Dependence
  • Methamphetamine-dependence
  • Stimulant Use
  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

At a glance

Phase
Phase not stated
Study type
Interventional
Sponsor
Oregon Health and Science University
Enrolment target
50
Started
7 February 2018
Main results due
1 September 2027
Study sites
1
Registry updated
23 September 2026

Can you take part?

  • Ages 18 years to 65 years.
  • Open to any sex.
  • You need the condition being studied — healthy volunteers are not accepted.

These are the headline rules only. Every study has a longer list, and whether you are eligible is decided by the research team at the site — never by this page.

Read the full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Subjects must use at least 0.5 g per day at least 5 days per week and have a minimum 12-month history of METH abuse.
* Subjects must meet DSM V diagnosis for methamphetamine use disorder.
* Subjects must have a minimum 4-week period of detoxification and a desire to stop using methamphetamine.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Present or past history of neurological disorder
* The present history of a DSM IV Axis I or DSM V primary psychiatric disease (apart from MUD and depressive symptoms defined as a Hamilton Depression Scale Score \< 7 ("normal"))
* Scores on the Hamilton Depression Scale \> 8, possibly indicating clinical depression
* No current abuse of drugs other than methamphetamine (except nicotine). Urine-screening tests for psychoactive drugs will be performed to corroborate the lack of drug use.
* Individuals meeting criteria for cannabis use disorder or alcohol use disorder
* Medical illness that can affect brain function
* Past or present history of cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure
* Any history of epilepsy or a known history of seizure disorder
* A history of metal in the head or chest area (except dental fillings or braces)
* Current consumption of psychiatric medication
* Any other medical, neurological or neurosurgical condition that would preclude the administration of repetitive transmagnetic stimulation

What this study is about

In the sponsor’s own words, from the registry.

The primary aim of this project is to use a randomized single-blind sham-controlled study to investigate if high frequency repetitive transmagnetic stimulation (HF-rTMS) can modulate cue-induced craving in adult methamphetamine (METH) users. The investigators hypothesize that HF-rTMS directed at left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) will result in a reduction in craving for METH compared to sham-controlled rTMS in adults with methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) as evidenced by validated measures of METH craving. Neurobiologically, the investigators anticipate rTMS mediated stimulation of the DLPFC could result in inhibition of cue-induced craving through potential disruption of involved circuitry. The current project proposes that participants who are recently abstinent from METH will be randomized into four experimental groups to provide two rTMS conditions (real versus sham) and two picture cues conditions (METH versus neutral). The experiment will have an induction phase where each subject will receive 10 daily treatments within 2 weeks. Just before each rTMS/sham session participants will be shown visual cues (METH or neutral). Participants will then undergo a maintenance phase for an additional month with assessments to evaluate craving and relapse. Urine samples for urine drug screening (UDS) will be collected at screening day and on days 1, 5 and 10. Just before each rTMS/sham session participants will be shown visual cues (METH and neutral). VAS craving scores will be assessed before and after picture presentation and after the rTMS/sham session. Before the first and 10th treatment session, participants were evaluated by the the Stimulant Craving Questionnaire (STCQ) and the Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS) questionnaires. Participants will then undergo a maintenance phase for an additional month. During the first week of maintenance, three rTMS/sham sessions will be administered. During each of the following 3 weeks, one rTMS/sham session will be given per week. As with the induction phase, urine samples will be collected for screening and STCQ and the SDS questionnaires will be completed at each maintenance session. To evaluate the long-term effects of the rTMS treatment, the investigators plan on contacting participants 6 months after treatment termination for all subjects who completed the 10 treatment sessions. During that phone conversation, craving and relapse will again be assessed.

Study sites(1)

  • Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System

    Portland, Oregon, United States

    Recruiting

Showing 1 of 1 sites. 1 of the 1 site on this study is recruiting right now — a site can stop enrolling while the study as a whole is still open.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov record NCT03470480. Trialion does not run this study, is not paid to refer anyone to it, and cannot enrol you. Eligibility is always decided by the research team at the site.

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rTMS for Craving in Methamphetamine Use Disorder | Trialion