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TMS for Cocaine Use Disorder

This study is looking at how a treatment called Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) affects the brain in adults with cocaine use disorder. TMS uses magnetic fields to stimulate specific areas of the brain. Researchers want to see if TMS applied to two different brain areas (dmPFC and dlPFC) can change how your brain responds to rewards and pays attention. They will compare these TMS treatments to a sham (inactive) TMS. To join, you must be 18 to 65 years old, have a current cocaine use disorder of at least moderate severity, and have a positive urine test for cocaine. The study will measure changes in brain activity related to reward and attention immediately after TMS sessions. The current status of this study is unclear, and it plans to enroll 75 participants.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 75 participants and compares two types of active TMS treatment to a sham (inactive) TMS.
What's involved
Not specified in the trial record.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The study measures changes in brain activity immediately after each TMS session.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT05986578

Identifying Electrophysiological Targets for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Cocaine Use Disorder

Recruiting
NAAges 18–65InterventionalBasic science
The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
~75 participants
Updated 2025-05-08 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:TMS to dmPFCTMS to dlPFCSham iTBS

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Change in the amplitude of the Reward Positivity (RewP) component in microvolts in response to feedback on the Doors Task
Measured over Baseline(before iTBS session),immediately after iTBS session
+1 more outcome measured

Conditions

Cocaine Use Disorder

Explore related trials

Cocaine Use DisorderSubstance use disorder

NCT05986578

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

    Houston, Texasstudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

Study leadership

  • Heather Webber, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Who to contact

Heather Webber, PhD
[email protected]
713-486-2723
Email the study team

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

non-treatment-seeking adults
meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-5 criteria for current cocaine use disorder of at least moderate severity (≥ 4 symptoms)
have at least 1 positive urine Benzoylecgonine (BE) specimen (≥ 300 ng/mL) during intake
be able to understand the consent form and provide written informed consent
be able to provide the following verifiable information for a minimum of 2 contact persons: full legal name,email address, local mailing address, and as applicable, home, work, and cell phone numbers

Exclusion

current DSM-5 diagnosis for substance use disorder (of at least moderate severity) other than cocaine, marijuana, or nicotine
in the opinion of the principal investigator (PI), the presence of any medical, neurological, psychiatric, or physical condition, disease, or illness that, may: (a) compromise interfere, limit, effect or reduce the subject's ability to complete the study; or (b) adversely impact the safety of the subject or the integrity of the data
has current or recent (within 3 months of potential enrollment) suicidal ideation, suicidal behavior, homicidal ideation or a homicidal plan sufficient to raise subject safety concerns based on the following assessments according to the PI:
medical implants contraindicating TMS (i.e., aneurysm clips or coils, stents, implanted stimulators, implanted vagus nerve or deep brain stimulators, implanted electrical devices such as pacemakers or medication pumps electrodes for monitoring brain activity, cochlear implants for hearing, any magnetic implants, bullet fragments, any other metal device or object implanted in your body closer than 30 cm from the coil)
history of brain surgery
history of an intracranial lesion or any medical or neurological diagnosis/condition associated with increased intracranial pressure (i.e., Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension/Pseudotumor Cerebri) OR any of the following symptoms within 30 days of enrollment: headaches \> 15 days/month, loss of vision or decreased vision
moderate-to-severe heart disease
history of stroke
is taking any antidepressant or antipsychotic medication at a dose above the maximum recommended dose or at a dose deemed to be potentially unsafe according to the PI; has taken any of the following medications, which are known to increase the risk of seizures, within 1 week of study enrollment; or does not agree to abstain from taking the following medications during study participation:
having conditions of probation or parole requiring reports of drug use to officers of the court
personal history of epilepsy or seizure disorder and/or family history including a first-degree relative
serious head injury with loss of consciousness
impending incarceration
pregnant or nursing for female patients
inability to read, write, or speak English
for adolescent aged participants (18-21 only): any risk factor for neurocardiogenic syncope (history of syncope/presyncope related to noxious stimuli, anxiety, micturition, or posture)
hair style that is incompatible with EEG nets

What this trial measures

  • Change in the amplitude of the Reward Positivity (RewP) component in microvolts in response to feedback on the Doors TaskBaseline(before iTBS session),immediately after iTBS session

    The Doors Task will be used to elicit the RewP component, representing reward sensitivity. The task is a guessing game, where participants guess which door contains a reward behind it. After selecting a door, the participants are notified if they found the prize by a green arrow pointing up or if they did not find the prize by a red arrow pointing down.

  • Change in the amplitude of the Late Positive Potential (LPP) in microvolts in response to visual stimuli on the Picture Viewing Task.Baseline(before iTBS session),immediately after iTBS session

    The Picture Viewing Task will be used to elicit the LPP, reflecting the motivational salience of a stimulus. During this task, participants are asked to view a slide show of images including pleasant, unpleasant, neutral, and cocaine-related images.