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Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Methamphetamine Use Disorder in People Living with HIV

This study is exploring how a type of brain stimulation called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) might help reduce methamphetamine craving in people living with HIV. Specifically, it's looking at two different ways of delivering TMS: intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) and continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS). Researchers want to see if these treatments change methamphetamine craving and brain activity compared to a sham (inactive) TMS. You might be able to join if you are 18-65 years old, have HIV, have a history of methamphetamine use disorder, and experience methamphetamine cravings. The main goal is to measure changes in craving for methamphetamine.

Study design
This study plans to enroll 30 participants. It compares two types of active brain stimulation (iTBS and cTBS) with a sham (inactive) treatment.
What's involved
You would have four study visits, each lasting three hours, for a total of 12 hours. These visits include receiving TMS sessions and having a brain MRI scan.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Methamphetamine craving is measured at baseline and before and after each TMS session, up to 4 days.

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

NCT06830980

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Methamphetamine Use Disorder in PLWH

Completed
NAAges 18–65InterventionalTreatment
Gopalkumar Rakesh
~12 participants
Updated 2026-08-06 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS)continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS)Sham TMS

At a glance

Recruiting sites
0 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Cue-induced methamphetamine craving
Measured over Baseline and before and after each TMS session up to 4 days

Conditions

Methamphetamine Use Disorders
HIV

Explore related trials

Amphetamine-induced organic mental disorderHIV Infection

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Kentucky1

Study leadership

  • Gopalkumar Rakesh, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Kentucky

Who to contact

This trial hasn't published a contact. View it on ClinicalTrials.gov

Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Adults in the age group 18-65 years
Able to read and understand English
Able to provide informed consent
Diagnosed with HIV
History of current or previous Methamphetamine Use Disorder
Endorse craving for methamphetamine
Demonstrate an attentional bias for methamphetamine

Exclusion

Traumatic brain injury
h/o seizure disorder
h/o or current diagnosis of schizophrenia
intracranial metal shrapnel
previous adverse effects with TMS
sub-threshold consistency while performing behavioral tasks
lack of attentional bias to methamphetamine cues
a positive pregnancy test for female participants
abnormal brain MRI

What this trial measures

  • Cue-induced methamphetamine cravingBaseline and before and after each TMS session up to 4 days

    Measured on the visual analog scale (VAS) Scored 0 to 100 with 0=no craving and 100=the most craving.