Wiesloch

Researchers are investigating the effects of combining Cannabidiol CBD with Naltrexone NTX on alcohol craving in people with alcohol dependence, a chronic condition with limited treatment options. This phase II, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial aims to evaluate whether two different doses of CBD 800mg and 1200mg, when added to standard NTX treatment 50mg daily, reduce alcohol craving more than NTX alone over a 14-day treatment period. The study focuses on patients who experience high alcohol craving and includes assessments of quality of life and biological markers related to craving as secondary outcomes. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups one receiving 800mg CBD plus 50mg NTX daily, another receiving 1200mg CBD plus 50mg NTX daily, and a third receiving placebo capsules plus 50mg NTX daily. All treatments are given orally during an inpatient addiction treatment program following current guidelines. The 14-day treatment period is part of a standardized care program, designed to evaluate the added effect of CBD on top of NTX. During the study, participants will be assessed at multiple visits including baseline, during treatment days 1, 7, and 14, and follow-up visits at days 28, 42, 105, and 196. Researchers will measure alcohol craving using the Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale, along with quality of life, depression, anxiety, patient-reported outcomes, blood CBD levels, brain imaging, and drinking behavior. Safety is monitored through reports of adverse events. These evaluations aim to understand the treatment impact on craving and long-term outcomes over about seven months.

Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder with significant human and societal costs. Approximately 15-30% of patients do not respond to all known antipsychotic treatments, including clozapine, which is considered the current gold-standard for treatment-resistant cases. This trial aims to evaluate whether adding maintenance electroconvulsive therapy mECT to clozapine treatment improves outcomes for patients who have already responded to an initial course of routine ECT. The goal is to determine if mECT can delay relapse or increase the number of relapse-free patients compared to clozapine treatment alone in clozapine-resistant schizophrenia CRS.

Researchers are evaluating transcranial direct current stimulation tDCS as an add-on treatment to reduce cognitive deficits and substance craving in individuals with substance use disorders, focusing on alcohol use disorder. The study aims to identify the best electrode placement and current direction for tDCS to improve inhibitory control and reduce craving, which could lead to longer abstinence and less substance use after relapse. This is important as previous findings on tDCS effects in this area have been conflicting. Participants receive one of several interventions alongside standard detoxification treatment three different active tDCS conditions targeting specific brain areas, a sham placebo tDCS, computerized inhibition training, or no additional intervention. tDCS sessions last 20 minutes each and are given on five consecutive days, with electrodes placed precisely using an EEG cap. Inhibition training uses a computerized GoNo-Go task with alcohol-related images. Participants undergo psychometric, neuropsychological, and EEG assessments before, during, and after the interventions, including tasks measuring inhibitory control. Follow-up occurs at 4, 8, 12, and 24 weeks post-treatment to assess craving, relapse, and alcohol use. EEG and behavioral tests are repeated to monitor changes. The total study duration includes intervention days and several follow-up assessments to track long-term outcomes.