Actively Recruiting

Phase Not Applicable
Age: 18Years - 60Years
All Genders
NCT06228235

rTMS-concurrent Behavioral Priming for Reducing Smoking Cravings

Led by West Virginia University · Updated on 2025-04-09

20

Participants Needed

1

Research Sites

106 weeks

Total Duration

On this page

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

The objective of this pilot clinical trial is to test the effects of different types of thinking strategies at the time of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS), applied to the left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC), on smoking craving and brain activity. Participants will be individuals with moderate to high smoking dependence (smoking at least 8 cigarettes a day) who have no intention of quitting in the next 3 months and are eligible to have rTMS and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The main objectives of the trial are: 1. To compare the craving-reducing effects of "upregulation" and "downregulation" of craving while looking at pictures related to cigarette smoking during rTMS versus no regulation of craving while looking at neutral pictures unrelated to smoking. 'Upregulation" is thinking about the immediate positive experience of smoking. "Downregulation" is thinking about the long-term negative consequences of smoking. 2. To examine changes in brain activity that accompany craving reductions produced by rTMS paired with upregulation and downregulation of craving while looking at pictures related to cigarette smoking versus no regulation of craving while looking at neutral pictures unrelated to smoking. Following screening for eligibility, participants will be trained on how to do upregulation and downregulation of craving. The participants will then participate in 3 testing sessions. In each session, the participants will receive rTMS at 20Hz in 50 trains (2000 pulses total), followed immediately by fMRI. Sessions will take place 1-2 weeks apart and will differ in the type of thinking strategy participants will use while looking at pictures during the rTMS: * upregulation of craving while viewing smoking-related images * downregulation of craving while viewing smoking-related images * no regulation of craving while viewing neutral smoking-unrelated images The order of sessions will be randomized across participants.

CONDITIONS

Official Title

rTMS-concurrent Behavioral Priming for Reducing Smoking Cravings

Who Can Participate

Age: 18Years - 60Years
All Genders

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible

You may qualify if you...

  • Able to provide written informed consent and follow study procedures
  • Active cigarette smoker consuming at least 8 cigarettes daily for at least 6 months
  • Dual use of cigarettes and e-cigarettes is allowed
Not Eligible

You will not qualify if you...

  • History of epilepsy or seizure disorder
  • History of stroke or cortical brain injury
  • History of brain lesions such as multiple sclerosis or tumors
  • History of moderate or severe traumatic brain injury
  • Possible major psychiatric disorders based on DSM-5 symptom scores, with specific thresholds for depression, anxiety, substance use (other than nicotine and alcohol), and alcohol use
  • Active suicidal thoughts assessed by Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale
  • Pregnancy
  • Positive drug test for recreational drugs
  • Shoulder-to-shoulder width greater than 60cm preventing MRI scanner fit
  • Positive findings on TMS screening or MRI checklist that prevent participation
  • Presence of intracranial metallic objects (excluding dental fillings)
  • Prior treatment with rTMS
  • Current treatment with varenicline or nicotine replacement therapy
  • Score greater than 6 on the Readiness to Quit Ladder
  • Use of drugs with strong seizure threshold lowering potential such as certain antidepressants, antipsychotics, antivirals, stimulants, and alcohol
  • Recent withdrawal from drugs that lower seizure threshold including alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, meprobamate, and chloral hydrate

AI-Screening

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Trial Site Locations

Total: 1 location

1

West Virginia University

Morgantown, West Virginia, United States, 26505

Actively Recruiting

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Research Team

M

Mariya V Cherkasova, PhD

CONTACT

How is the study designed?

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Masking

NONE

Allocation

NA

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Primary Purpose

TREATMENT

Number of Arms

1

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