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Brain Stimulation for Cannabis Craving in Schizophrenia

This study is testing if different types of brain stimulation can help reduce cannabis craving in people with schizophrenia. It's comparing two types of brain stimulation: "3 Minute iTBS to the L DLPFC" and "One-Minute, Personalized, DMN Targeted CTBS." Researchers believe that targeting specific brain circuits might help reduce craving and improve thinking skills. You might be able to join if you are 18-65 years old, have a diagnosis of a psychotic disorder like schizophrenia, and currently use cannabis. The study aims to see if these brain stimulation methods can change how much you crave cannabis and how your brain connections are affected. The study is currently recruiting 100 participants, but its exact status is unclear.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 100 participants. It is testing two different brain stimulation devices.
What's involved
Participants will receive five daily sessions of brain stimulation. The primary endpoint will be measured up to 12 weeks.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The study will measure outcomes for up to 12 weeks after the intervention.

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

NCT07196462

Precision Brain Stimulation to Reduce Cannabis Craving in Schizophrenia

Recruiting
NAAges 18–65InterventionalTreatment
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
~100 participants
Updated 2026-06-02 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:3 Minute iTBS to the L DLPFCOne-Minute, Personalized, DMN Targeted CTBS

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Clinical Efficacy: Determine if rTMS affects cue-induced craving and if craving change correlates with change in functional connectivity (n=100).
Measured over Up to 12 weeks

Conditions

Cannabis Use
SCHIZOPHRENIA
Psychosis
rTMS

Explore related trials

Cannabis misuseSchizoaffective DisorderSchizophrenia

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Tennessee1

Who to contact

Jillian G Connolly, B.S.
[email protected]
6154345891
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Age between 18-65 years
Diagnosis of a psychotic disorder according to DSM-5 criteria and confirmed by SCID
Current cannabis use of at least 2/10 on a Visual Analog Scale
Current cannabis use (confirmed by urine cannabis testing)
Must be able to read, speak and understand English
Must be judged by study staff to be capable of completing the study procedures
Participants will be in stable outpatient psychiatric treatment and psychiatrically stable with no recent (within the past 30 days) psychiatric hospitalizations or changes in their psychiatric medication regimens.

Exclusion

DSM-5 intellectual disability
Substance use disorder (other than cannabis or nicotine) within the past three months
Positive urine drug screen for illicit substance use that can increase seizure risk (cocaine, benzodiazepines, amphetamine, methamphetamine)
Any history of a progressive or genetic neurologic disorder (e.g. Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, tuberous sclerosis, Alzheimer's Disease) or acquired neurological disease (e.g. stroke, traumatic brain injury, tumor), including intracranial lesions
History of head trauma resulting in any loss of consciousness (\>15 minutes) or neurological sequelae
Current history of poorly controlled headaches including chronic medication for migraine prevention
History of fainting spells of unknown or undetermined etiology that might constitute seizures
History of seizures, diagnosis of epilepsy, or immediate (1st degree relative) family history epilepsy with the exception of a single seizure of benign etiology (e.g. febrile seizures) in the judgment of a board-certified neurologist
Chronic (particularly) uncontrolled medical conditions that may cause a medical emergency in case of a provoked seizure (cardiac malformation, cardiac dysrhythmia, asthma, etc.)
Any metal in the brain or skull (excluding dental fillings) or elsewhere in the body unless cleared by the responsible covering MD (e.g. MRI compatible joint replacement)
Any devices such as pacemaker, medication pump, nerve stimulator, TENS unit, ventriculo-peritoneal shunt unless cleared by the responsible covering MD
All female participants of child-bearing age will be required to have a pregnancy test; any participant who is pregnant or planning to become pregnant will not be enrolled in the study
Medications will be reviewed by the responsible covering physician and a decision about inclusion will be made based on the participant's past medical history, drug dose, history of recent medication changes or duration of treatment, and use of CNS active drugs. The published TMS guidelines review of medications to be considered with rTMS will be taken into consideration given their described effects on cortical excitability measures.
Any changes in medications or hospitalizations within the past 30 days.
Participants who, in the investigator's opinion, might not be suitable for the study or would be unable to tolerate the study visit

What this trial measures

  • Clinical Efficacy: Determine if rTMS affects cue-induced craving and if craving change correlates with change in functional connectivity (n=100).Up to 12 weeks

    Cue-induced craving will be measured using a 0-10 Visual Analog Scale (VAS) before, during, and after in-scanner presentation of visual cannabis cues. Whole DMN and L DLPFC-left insula connectivity will be calculated.