Assessing the Impact of Deep TMS Neuromodulation on Neural Circuits Associated With Alcohol Use Disorder

NCT ID: NCT06949423

Last Updated: 2025-04-29

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 100 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-07-01
• Study Completion Date: 2029-09-01

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of deep transcranial magnetic stimulation as a treatment for Veterans with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) to decrease the exceedingly high rate of relapse associated with this condition.

Detailed Description

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a highly prevalent disorder with a chronic relapse-remit cycle, and over 60% of individuals relapse within months of treatment. Preclinical and human research over the last several decades have defined AUD as a neural circuit-based disorder, which are driven by changes in salience network (SN) function. Emerging non-invasive neuromodulation techniques, such as deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (dTMS), can directly modify neural targets that are related to AUD relapse risk, including the SN.

Preclinical and clinical studies have shown that manipulation of deep cortical nodes within the salience network (SN), such as the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC), can reduce compulsive drinking. Our lab has demonstrated that blunted dACC activation to affective cues predicts relapse - identifying dACC as a promising neuromodulation target. A systematic interrogation of salience network neuromodulation bridges preclinical and clinical research and has the potential to revolutionize AUD treatment. Our preliminary data demonstrates 1) feasibility of the proposed dTMS protocol and 2) promising neural and clinical outcomes. Specifically, those who received this innovative intervention demonstrated increased dACC activation to affective cues from pre- to post-treatment, dynamic changes in functional connectivity and 100% abstinence at follow up.

Building on these data and a theory-driven conceptual framework, the current proposal aims to systematically address three remaining scientific gaps: 1) to what extent does dTMS stimulation of the dACC modify drinking rates and neural targets, 2) can target engagement be a marker of early treatment response, and 3) how long do the effects of dTMS last? This research is significant and innovative as it utilizes a novel, neuromodulation technique to directly manipulate neural networks that drive relapse in AUD.

Conditions

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD); Transcranial Magnetic Stimilation

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: QUADRUPLE

Study Groups

Active dTMS

Participants will receive 30 sessions of active-dTMS to the dACC/mPFC with the H7 coil, administered 3 times per day over 10 consecutive business days. Each treatment visit will last approximately 30 minutes in total.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS) H7 coil - Active

Intervention Type: DEVICE

The study will utilize the H7 coil to administer active Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS) to the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC), a core salience network node.

Sham dTMS

Participants will receive 30 sham dTMS sessions, administered 3 times per day over 10 consecutive business days. Each treatment visit will last approximately 30 minutes in total.

Group Type: SHAM_COMPARATOR

Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS) H7 coil - Sham

Intervention Type: DEVICE

The study will utilize an identical protocol using the H7 coil to administer a sham condition.

Interventions

Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS) H7 coil - Active

The study will utilize the H7 coil to administer active Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS) to the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC), a core salience network node.

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS) H7 coil - Sham

The study will utilize an identical protocol using the H7 coil to administer a sham condition.

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Age 18-75.
• Current DSM-5 diagnosis of moderate to severe AUD (≥4 diagnostic symptoms).
• Ability to obtain a Motor Threshold (MT) will be determined during the screening process.
• Has an adequately stable condition and environment to enable attendance at scheduled clinic visits.
• Able to read, understand and voluntarily sign the Informed Consent Form prior to participating in any study-specific procedures or assessments.
• If on a medication regimen for comorbid symptoms, that regimen will be stable for the duration of the study and patient will be willing to remain on this regimen during the treatment phase.
• Fluency in English.

Exclusion Criteria

• Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contraindications: such as a cardiac pacemaker, cochlear implant, or an implanted device (deep brain stimulation, metal in the head, metal in the body, claustrophobia, pregnant or breastfeeding or other ferromagnetic device/objected in the head and body within 30 cm of the treatment coil.
• General medical condition, disease or neurological disorder that interferes with the assessments or participation.
• Unable to safely withdraw, at least two weeks prior to treatment, from medications that increase seizure risk.
• Current substance abuse (except caffeine or nicotine) as determined by positive toxicology screen.
• Have a mass lesion, cerebral infarct, or other active CNS disease, including an alcohol-related seizure or a seizure disorder.
• A recent suicide attempt (defined as within the last 30 days) or presence of current suicidal plan or intent. Patients at risk for suicide will be required to establish a written safety plan involving their primary therapist before entering the study.
• Severe impediment to vision, hearing and/or hand movement, likely to interfere with the ability to follow study protocols.
• Greater than mild traumatic brain injury (defined as greater than 10 minutes loss of consciousness).
• Taking benzodiazepine or neuroleptic medications, or any medication known to alter seizure threshold
• Acute or unstable chronic illness.
• Current or lifetime history of bipolar disorder or psychosis

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 75 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Stanford University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Claudia Padula

Assistant Professor

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Claudia B Padula, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Stanford University

Michelle R Madore, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Stanford University

Locations

VA Palo Alto Health Care System

Palo Alto, California, United States

Countries

United States

Central Contacts

Samantha J Ward, BS

Role: CONTACT

samward@stanford.edu

650-493-5000 ext. 64975

Eileen G Fischer, BS

Role: CONTACT

grace.fischer@stanford.edu

210-993-2065

Facility Contacts

Eileen G Fischer, BS

Role: primary

grace.fischer@stanford.edu

210-993-2065

References

Padula CB, Tenekedjieva LT, McCalley DM, Al-Dasouqi H, Hanlon CA, Williams LM, Kozel FA, Knutson B, Durazzo TC, Yesavage JA, Madore MR. Targeting the Salience Network: A Mini-Review on a Novel Neuromodulation Approach for Treating Alcohol Use Disorder. Front Psychiatry. 2022 May 17;13:893833. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.893833. eCollection 2022.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

PMID: 35656355 (View on PubMed)

Padula CB, Tenekedjieva LT, McCalley DM, Morales JM, Madore MR. Accelerated deep TMS in alcohol use disorder: A preliminary pilot trial targeting the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex increases neural target engagement and abstinence. Brain Stimul. 2024 Sep-Oct;17(5):1098-1100. doi: 10.1016/j.brs.2024.09.002. Epub 2024 Sep 13. No abstract available.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

PMID: 39265786 (View on PubMed)

Harel M, Perini I, Kampe R, Alyagon U, Shalev H, Besser I, Sommer WH, Heilig M, Zangen A. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Alcohol Dependence: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Sham-Controlled Proof-of-Concept Trial Targeting the Medial Prefrontal and Anterior Cingulate Cortices. Biol Psychiatry. 2022 Jun 15;91(12):1061-1069. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.11.020. Epub 2021 Dec 6.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

PMID: 35067356 (View on PubMed)

Peters SK, Dunlop K, Downar J. Cortico-Striatal-Thalamic Loop Circuits of the Salience Network: A Central Pathway in Psychiatric Disease and Treatment. Front Syst Neurosci. 2016 Dec 27;10:104. doi: 10.3389/fnsys.2016.00104. eCollection 2016.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

PMID: 28082874 (View on PubMed)

Koob GF, Volkow ND. Neurocircuitry of addiction. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2010 Jan;35(1):217-38. doi: 10.1038/npp.2009.110.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

PMID: 19710631 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

R01AA031552

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: secondary_id

View Link

78836

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id