CompletedNot Applicable

Non-invasive Brain Stimulation of the Prefrontal Cortex in Substance Use Disorders

Belgium70 participantsStarted 2022-09-22

Plain-language summary

Every year, alcohol causes 3 million deaths worldwide. Even though a lot of treatments already exist, many of them are characterized by a high percentage of drop-out or relapse. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a NIBS, is receiving increased attention as a possible new addiction treatment. However, little consensus exists in the concrete parameters (e.g. montage, current, intensity). Moreover, a lot of tDCS research focuses on subjective outcomes, like the report of craving, which are more prone to different biases and fluctuations. In this study, we aim to investigate the effect of HD-tDCS, a more focal stimulation variant, on AUDs. Using this intervention, stimulation can be restricted to one hemisphere, controlling for possible inhibition effects of the cathode. A between-subject design will be carried out, including patients with an AUD. Participants will receive 5 sessions of either real or sham right anodal HD-tDCS over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC). Craving will be accounted for at baseline and after every stimulation session. Moreover, we will measure the activity of the brain in rest and during two inhibition tasks (Go/NoGo and cue reactivity task). This objective measure will be carried out both before (baseline) and at two time points after the stimulation, to measure effects on both the short and longer term. One month after the intervention, abstinence will be checked through a follow-up phone call. Through this study, we aim to describe positive effects of right dlPFC stimulation on craving, abstinence, and EEG measures.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 65 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * DSM-V criteria for alohol use disorder * dutch speaking * 18-65 years old * abstinence in the past 10 days Exclusion Criteria: * diagnosis or family history of epilepsy * a history of severe brain injury * a cardiac pacemaker or electronic implants * migraine * a scalp skin condition * pregnancy * concurrent treatment with benzodiazepines * hairstyle incompatible with EEG-measurements * a psychotic disorder or neurological disease * severe cognitive impairment defined as a score lower than 10 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Abstinence

Timeframe: 1 month after the intervention

Trial details

NCT IDNCT05471154

SponsorUniversitair Ziekenhuis Brussel

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2024-09-20

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) trials