rTMS for Craving in Methamphetamine Use Disorder



Status:Recruiting
Conditions:Psychiatric
Therapuetic Areas:Psychiatry / Psychology
Healthy:No
Age Range:18 - 65
Updated:8/16/2018
Start Date:February 7, 2018
End Date:September 1, 2019
Contact:Brandon J Cornejo, MD, PhD
Email:brandon.cornejo@va.gov
Phone:503-721-7964

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

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.


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
We found this trial at
1
site
3710 Southwest US Veterans Hospital Road
Portland, Oregon 97239
Principal Investigator: Brandon J Cornejo, MD, PhD
Phone: 503-721-7964
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mi
from
Portland, OR
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