Study of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Effects on Brain Activity in Adults With Cocaine Use Disorder

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effects of intermittent theta burst stimulation iTBS applied to two specific brain areas, the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex dlPFC and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex dmPFC, in adults with cocaine use disorder. This study aims to compare these treatments to a sham procedure to understand their impact on brain activity related to reward sensitivity and motivated attention. The study is led by The University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston and involves randomized, triple-blinded allocation. Participants will receive transcranial magnetic stimulation TMS using a specialized device called the MagVenture Mag Pro R30 with a Cool-B70 coil. The iTBS sessions involve bursts of electrical stimulation delivered at 110% of a resting motor threshold, lasting about 3 minutes per session. Each participant undergoes three sessions per visit with short breaks in between. Study groups receive iTBS targeting either the dlPFC, dmPFC, or a sham stimulation designed to mimic treatment without active pulses. The intensity of stimulation may be adjusted to participant tolerance. During the study, participants will complete tasks and assessments before and immediately after iTBS sessions. Researchers will measure brain electrical responses to reward and visual stimuli, craving levels, pain, cognitive function, reward learning behavior, and anhedonia using various standardized scales and tasks. Participants will be monitored for safety and adherence, with data collected to evaluate changes in these measures. The trial accommodates adults aged 18 to 65 with moderate to severe cocaine use disorder and involves a structured, short-term intervention and evaluation process.

Identifying Electrophysiological Targets for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Cocaine Use Disorder