Actively Recruiting
Precision Brain Stimulation to Reduce Cannabis Craving in Schizophrenia
Led by Vanderbilt University Medical Center · Updated on 2026-02-24
100
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
102 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
The central hypothesis is this: Brain circuits most relevant to cannabis use in schizophrenia are distinct from pathways identified in healthy controls who use cannabis. This study seeks to provide evidence that targeted stimulation of the DMN leads to both altered network activity and a concomitant behavioral change in cue-induced craving and cognitive performance in individuals with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, while targeted stimulation of the L DLPFC leads to these changes in healthy controls who use cannabis. This study will test a model that integrates brain network pathophysiology and cognition to 1) explain the prevalence of cannabis use in schizophrenia and 2) identify a target for engagement in schizophrenia. This study seeks to establish a neuroscientific framework to guide future treatment-oriented studies aimed at reducing craving and improving cognitive performance in individuals with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. This is a study of the effect of 2 rTMS interventions on functional connectivity and craving in individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and healthy controls who use cannabis. Aim 1: Target Engagement: Determine if rTMS manipulates functional connectivity of each target (DMN, L DLPFC) (n=100). Aim 2: Clinical Efficacy: Determine if rTMS affects cue-induced craving and if craving change correlates with change in functional connectivity (n=100). As an exploratory analysis, the factors that explain individual variance in rTMS-induced connectivity change will also be explored.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Precision Brain Stimulation to Reduce Cannabis Craving in Schizophrenia
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Age between 18 and 65 years
- Diagnosis of a psychotic disorder confirmed by DSM-5 and SCID (for psychosis participants)
- Current cannabis use with at least 2/10 craving on a Visual Analog Scale
- Positive urine test confirming current cannabis use
- Ability to read, speak, and understand English
- Capability to complete study procedures as judged by study staff
- Stable outpatient psychiatric treatment with no hospitalizations or medication changes in past 30 days
- For healthy controls: same criteria except no diagnosis or first-degree relative with psychotic disorder
You will not qualify if you...
- Intellectual disability as defined by DSM-5
- Substance use disorder (other than cannabis or nicotine) within past 3 months
- Positive urine drug test for substances increasing seizure risk (cocaine, benzodiazepines, amphetamine, methamphetamine)
- History of progressive or genetic neurological disorders or acquired neurological disease
- History of significant head trauma with loss of consciousness over 15 minutes or neurological problems
- Poorly controlled headaches or chronic migraine medication use
- History of unexplained fainting spells
- History of seizures, epilepsy, or immediate family history of epilepsy except benign seizures
- Uncontrolled chronic medical conditions that could cause emergencies during seizures
- Presence of metal in brain or skull (excluding dental fillings) unless medically cleared
- Implanted devices like pacemakers or nerve stimulators unless medically cleared
- Pregnancy or planning pregnancy during study
- Recent medication changes or hospitalizations in past 30 days
- Any condition or factor making participant unsuitable or unable to tolerate study visits as judged by investigator
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital
Nashville, Tennessee, United States, 37212
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
J
Jillian G Connolly, B.S.
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
CROSSOVER
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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