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CompletedNCT05631548Updated Jan 31, 2024Results posted

Identifying Electrophysiological Targets for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Cocaine Use Disorder (Pilot Study)

An interventional study of iTBS to dmPFC and Sham iTBS in Cocaine Use Disorder, sponsored by The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston. Completed at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 60 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2024-01-31.

Sponsored by The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston · Not applicable, Interventional, and Basic science

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
6
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years to 60 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of active intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) to dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC) on electroencephalogram (EEG) measures of reward sensitivity and cue reactivity and cocaine craving in cocaine users

02

Conditions studied

  • Cocaine Use Disorder

Keywords

  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
03

In context

Lead sponsor

The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston is the lead sponsor of 880 studies on the registry; 209 are open to participants now.

Of its 170 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 140 (82%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 60 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • CUD diagnosis

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • moderate or severe criteria for substances other than cocaine, cannabis, or nicotine
  • unstable psychiatric disorder
  • medical conditions contraindicated to TMS (e.g., medical implants, history of seizure or seizure disorder, medications lowering the seizure threshold, neurological conditions, moderate-to-severe heart disease)
  • pregnancy
  • hairstyles incompatible with the EEG net
  • head injury with loss of consciousness
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Basic science
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Crossover assignment
Masking
Double (Participant, Care provider)
Enrollment
6 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    iTBS to dmPFC, Then Sham iTBS

    Device: iTBS to dmPFC · Device: Sham iTBS

  • Sham comparator
    Sham iTBS, Then iTBS to dmPFC

    Device: iTBS to dmPFC · Device: Sham iTBS

Interventions

  • DeviceiTBS to dmPFC

    TMS will be delivered with a MagVenture Mag Pro R30 with the Cool-B70 A/P coil with active liquid cooling and active/sham sides. Approximately 25% of the nasion-inion distance, or Talairah coordinates X 0 Y+60 Z+60 will be measured.The first session will begin with the acquisition of the resting motor threshold (rMT; lowest stimulus intensity that elicits a visible twitch on 50% of the trials) on the contralateral hand. iTBS (triplet 50 Hz bursts, repeated at 5 Hz, 2 sec on and 8 sec off; 600 pulses per session) will be delivered at 110% of the rMT and will last about 3 minutes. Each participant will receive 2 sessions with a 15-20 minute interval between sessions.

  • DeviceSham iTBS

    Sham TMS will be delivered with the sham side of the MagVenture Cool B70 A/P coil. The software will be pre-programmed by a staff member that will not be involved in data analysis or collection for blinding purposes. The sham stimulation will match the number of pulses and length of time as the active condition and each participant will receive 2 sessions with a 15-20 min interval between sessions.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Amplitude of the Reward Potential (RewP) in Microvolts in Response to Feedback on the Doors Task as Assessed by EEG

    The Doors Task will be used to elicit the Reward Potential (RewP) component, representing reward sensitivity. The task is a guessing game, where participants guess which door contains a reward behind it. After selecting a door, the participants are notified if they found the prize by a green arrow pointing up or if they did not find the prize by a red arrow pointing down. The amplitude of the RewP in microvolts in response to feedback is reported.

    Time frame: Baseline (before iTBS session)

  2. Amplitude of the Reward Potential (RewP) in Microvolts in Response to Feedback on the Doors Task as Assessed by EEG

    The Doors Task will be used to elicit the Reward Potential (RewP) component, representing reward sensitivity. The task is a guessing game, where participants guess which door contains a reward behind it. After selecting a door, the participants are notified if they found the prize by a green arrow pointing up (win) or if they did not find the prize by a red arrow pointing down (loss). The amplitude of the RewP in microvolts in response to feedback is reported.

    Time frame: Immediately after iTBS session

  3. Amplitude of the Late Positive Potential (LPP) in Microvolts in Response to Visual Stimuli on the Picture Viewing Task as Assessed by EEG

    The Picture Viewing Task will be used to elicit the late positive potential (LPP), reflecting the motivational salience of a stimulus. During this task, participants are asked to view a slideshow of images including pleasant, unpleasant, neutral, and cocaine-related images. The amplitude of the LPP in microvolts in response to visual stimuli is reported.

    Time frame: Baseline (before iTBS session)

  4. Amplitude of the Late Positive Potential (LPP) in Microvolts in Response to Visual Stimuli on the Picture Viewing Task as Assessed by EEG

    The Picture Viewing Task will be used to elicit the late positive potential (LPP), reflecting the motivational salience of a stimulus. During this task, participants are asked to view a slideshow of images including pleasant, unpleasant, neutral, and cocaine-related images. The amplitude of the LPP in microvolts in response to visual stimuli is reported.

    Time frame: Immediately after iTBS session

Secondary outcomes

  1. Craving as Assessed by the Minnesota Cocaine Craving Scale (MCCS)

    The first question (intensity of craving) will be used and is measured from 0(none, not at all) to 100(a great deal), higher number indicating more craving.

    Time frame: Baseline(before iTBS session)

  2. Craving as Assessed by the Minnesota Cocaine Craving Scale (MCCS)

    The first question (intensity of craving) will be used and is measured from 0(none, not at all) to 100(a great deal), higher number indicating more craving.

    Time frame: Immediately after iTBS session

  3. Pain as Assessed by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

    This is scored from 0(no pain) to 10 (worst pain), higher score indicating greater pain.

    Time frame: Baseline(before iTBS session)

  4. Pain as Assessed by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

    This is scored from 0(no pain) to 10 (worst pain), higher score indicating greater pain.

    Time frame: Immediately after iTBS session

  5. Cognitive Function as Assessed by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)

    Total score on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) range from 0 to 30, with a higher score indicating a better outcome.

    Time frame: Baseline(before iTBS session)

  6. Cognitive Function as Assessed by the The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)

    Total score on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) range from 0 to 30, with a higher score indicating a better outcome.

    Time frame: Immediately after iTBS session

07

Results

Posted Jan 31, 2024

Participant flow

First Intervention (2 Sessions)
Participant flow — First Intervention (2 Sessions)
MilestoneiTBS to dmPFC, Then Sham iTBSSham iTBS, Then iTBS to dmPFC
Started33
Received intervention32
Completed32
Not completed01
Withdrew: Excluded after randomization due to high blood pressure01
Second Interventions (2 Sessions)
Participant flow — Second Interventions (2 Sessions)
MilestoneiTBS to dmPFC, Then Sham iTBSSham iTBS, Then iTBS to dmPFC
Started32
Received intervention32
Completed32
Not completed00

Outcome measures

PrimaryAmplitude of the Reward Potential (RewP) in Microvolts in Response to Feedback on the Doors Task as Assessed by EEG

The Doors Task will be used to elicit the Reward Potential (RewP) component, representing reward sensitivity. The task is a guessing game, where participants guess which door contains a reward behind it. After selecting a door, the participants are notified if they found the prize by a green arrow pointing up or if they did not find the prize by a red arrow pointing down. The amplitude of the RewP in microvolts in response to feedback is reported.

Time frame:
Baseline (before iTBS session)
Reported as:
Mean · microvolts
Amplitude of the Reward Potential (RewP) in Microvolts in Response to Feedback on the Doors Task as Assessed by EEG
microvoltsiTBS to dmPFCSham iTBS
RewP Amplitude with Win-1.09 ± 1.950.61 ± 1.80
RewP Amplitude with Loss-0.23 ± 2.150.12 ± 1.75
PrimaryAmplitude of the Reward Potential (RewP) in Microvolts in Response to Feedback on the Doors Task as Assessed by EEG

The Doors Task will be used to elicit the Reward Potential (RewP) component, representing reward sensitivity. The task is a guessing game, where participants guess which door contains a reward behind it. After selecting a door, the participants are notified if they found the prize by a green arrow pointing up (win) or if they did not find the prize by a red arrow pointing down (loss). The amplitude of the RewP in microvolts in response to feedback is reported.

Time frame:
Immediately after iTBS session
Reported as:
Mean · microvolts
Amplitude of the Reward Potential (RewP) in Microvolts in Response to Feedback on the Doors Task as Assessed by EEG
microvoltsiTBS to dmPFCSham iTBS
RewP Amplitude with Win-1.10 ± 1.540.21 ± 1.76
RewP Amplitude with Loss-1.30 ± 1.050.02 ± 1.37
PrimaryAmplitude of the Late Positive Potential (LPP) in Microvolts in Response to Visual Stimuli on the Picture Viewing Task as Assessed by EEG

The Picture Viewing Task will be used to elicit the late positive potential (LPP), reflecting the motivational salience of a stimulus. During this task, participants are asked to view a slideshow of images including pleasant, unpleasant, neutral, and cocaine-related images. The amplitude of the LPP in microvolts in response to visual stimuli is reported.

Time frame:
Baseline (before iTBS session)
Reported as:
Mean · microvolts
Amplitude of the Late Positive Potential (LPP) in Microvolts in Response to Visual Stimuli on the Picture Viewing Task as Assessed by EEG
microvoltsiTBS to dmPFCSham iTBS
LPP Amplitude with Pleasant Images1.10 ± 1.400.37 ± 1.85
LPP Amplitude with Unpleasant Images1.01 ± 2.040.40 ± 2.55
LPP Amplitude with Cocaine Images.61 ± 1.490.46 ± 1.81
LPP Amplitude with Neutral Images-0.35 ± 1.51-0.95 ± 2.23
PrimaryAmplitude of the Late Positive Potential (LPP) in Microvolts in Response to Visual Stimuli on the Picture Viewing Task as Assessed by EEG

The Picture Viewing Task will be used to elicit the late positive potential (LPP), reflecting the motivational salience of a stimulus. During this task, participants are asked to view a slideshow of images including pleasant, unpleasant, neutral, and cocaine-related images. The amplitude of the LPP in microvolts in response to visual stimuli is reported.

Time frame:
Immediately after iTBS session
Reported as:
Mean · microvolts
Amplitude of the Late Positive Potential (LPP) in Microvolts in Response to Visual Stimuli on the Picture Viewing Task as Assessed by EEG
microvoltsiTBS to dmPFCSham iTBS
LPP Amplitude with Pleasant Images.66 ± 1.48.19 ± 1.78
LPP Amplitude with Unpleasant Images1.11 ± 1.73.78 ± 1.67
LPP Amplitude with Cocaine Images1.02 ± 1.31.43 ± .43
LPP Amplitude with Neutral Images-0.28 ± 1.21-0.0000929 ± 1.39
SecondaryCraving as Assessed by the Minnesota Cocaine Craving Scale (MCCS)

The first question (intensity of craving) will be used and is measured from 0(none, not at all) to 100(a great deal), higher number indicating more craving.

Time frame:
Baseline(before iTBS session)
Reported as:
Mean · score on a scale
Craving as Assessed by the Minnesota Cocaine Craving Scale (MCCS)
score on a scaleiTBS to dmPFCSham iTBS
Craving as Assessed by the Minnesota Cocaine Craving Scale (MCCS)41 ± 39.0831.2 ± 38.55
SecondaryCraving as Assessed by the Minnesota Cocaine Craving Scale (MCCS)

The first question (intensity of craving) will be used and is measured from 0(none, not at all) to 100(a great deal), higher number indicating more craving.

Time frame:
Immediately after iTBS session
Reported as:
Mean · score on a scale
Craving as Assessed by the Minnesota Cocaine Craving Scale (MCCS)
score on a scaleiTBS to dmPFCSham iTBS
Craving as Assessed by the Minnesota Cocaine Craving Scale (MCCS)33.8 ± 37.8118 ± 26.39
SecondaryPain as Assessed by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

This is scored from 0(no pain) to 10 (worst pain), higher score indicating greater pain.

Time frame:
Baseline(before iTBS session)
Reported as:
Mean · score on a scale
Pain as Assessed by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
score on a scaleiTBS to dmPFCSham iTBS
Pain as Assessed by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)0.6 ± 1.20.2 ± 0.4
SecondaryPain as Assessed by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

This is scored from 0(no pain) to 10 (worst pain), higher score indicating greater pain.

Time frame:
Immediately after iTBS session
Reported as:
Mean · score on a scale
Pain as Assessed by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
score on a scaleiTBS to dmPFCSham iTBS
Pain as Assessed by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)2 ± 3.521.6 ± 1.74
SecondaryCognitive Function as Assessed by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)

Total score on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) range from 0 to 30, with a higher score indicating a better outcome.

Time frame:
Baseline(before iTBS session)
Reported as:
Mean · score on a scale
Cognitive Function as Assessed by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
score on a scaleiTBS to dmPFCSham iTBS
Cognitive Function as Assessed by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)23 ± 4.0522.8 ± 4.96
SecondaryCognitive Function as Assessed by the The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)

Total score on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) range from 0 to 30, with a higher score indicating a better outcome.

Time frame:
Immediately after iTBS session
Reported as:
Mean · score on a scale
Cognitive Function as Assessed by the The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
score on a scaleiTBS to dmPFCSham iTBS
Cognitive Function as Assessed by the The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)22.4 ± 3.0125 ± 2.76

Adverse events

Collected over from baseline until study completion (i.e., 2 weeks). Non-serious events are listed at a 0% frequency threshold.

Adverse event summary by group
GroupDeathsSeriousOther
iTBS to dmPFC0/5 (0%)0/5 (0%)2/5 (40%)
Sham iTBS0/5 (0%)0/5 (0%)1/5 (20%)
Most frequent other events
Most frequent other events
EventiTBS to dmPFCSham iTBS
Scalp DiscomfortGeneral disorders2/51/5
HeadacheGeneral disorders2/50/5
Neck PainGeneral disorders1/50/5
Muscle SpasmGeneral disorders1/50/5
Light-HeadedGeneral disorders1/51/5
TinglingGeneral disorders0/51/5

Baseline characteristics

Age, Continuous
Age, Continuous(years)iTBS to dmPFC, Then Sham iTBSSham iTBS, Then iTBS to dmPFCTotal
Mean51.7 ± 9.937.0 ± 6.045.8 ± 11.16
Sex: Female, Male
Sex: Female, Male(Participants)iTBS to dmPFC, Then Sham iTBSSham iTBS, Then iTBS to dmPFCTotal
Female000
Male325
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)(Participants)iTBS to dmPFC, Then Sham iTBSSham iTBS, Then iTBS to dmPFCTotal
Hispanic or Latino101
Not Hispanic or Latino224
Unknown or Not Reported000
Race (NIH/OMB)
Race (NIH/OMB)(Participants)iTBS to dmPFC, Then Sham iTBSSham iTBS, Then iTBS to dmPFCTotal
American Indian or Alaska Native000
Asian000
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander000
Black or African American213
White101
More than one race011
Unknown or Not Reported000
Region of Enrollment
Region of Enrollment(participants)iTBS to dmPFC, Then Sham iTBSSham iTBS, Then iTBS to dmPFCTotal
United States325
Years of Education
Years of Education(years)iTBS to dmPFC, Then Sham iTBSSham iTBS, Then iTBS to dmPFCTotal
Mean12 ± 010.5 ± 1.511.4 ± 1.2
08

Study locations

1 site
  • The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
    Houston, Texas 77030, United States
09

References and documents

Study documents

  • Protocol and statistical analysis plan · Sep 11, 2023

Documents are hosted by the registry — open the source record to download them.

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

10

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Jan 31, 2024, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
11

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT05631548
Lead sponsor
The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
Responsible party
Heather E. Webber, PhD (Instructor, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston) — Principal investigator
First posted
Nov 30, 2022
Start date
Feb 23, 2023
Primary completion
Aug 2, 2023
Completion
Aug 2, 2023
Results posted
Jan 31, 2024
Last update
Jan 31, 2024

Study contacts

Heather Webber, PhD
principal investigator · The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Oversight

FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
Yes
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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