Calming cue-triggered cravings in methamphetamine use

Cue Reactivity Modulation in Methamphetamine Use Disorder

NIH-funded research Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-11486786

Seeing if teaching people with methamphetamine use disorder a thinking-based skill (cognitive reappraisal) can reduce brain and craving reactions to drug cues.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionIcahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-11486786 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

You would come to Mount Sinai for sessions where we show images or reminders linked to methamphetamine while measuring brain responses with EEG to find a signal called the late positive potential (LPP). In the first phase we compare LPP levels across people with different histories of meth use and abstinence to find objective markers of cue‑reactivity. In the second phase we follow people over time, teach a brief cognitive reappraisal technique to help change how they think about drug cues, and repeat EEG and clinical measures to see if cue responses and cravings decrease. Visits are in person and include EEG testing, training in the coping skill, and follow-up visits to track changes.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults with current or recent methamphetamine use disorder who can attend in-person EEG sessions and participate in brief cognitive reappraisal training are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People without methamphetamine use disorder, those unable to undergo EEG, or those unwilling to complete in-person visits and training are unlikely to benefit from this work.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could lower cue-triggered craving and relapse risk by giving a simple coping skill and a brain-based way to track progress.

How similar studies have performed: Related brain-marker and cognitive reappraisal approaches have shown promise in other substance use disorders, but using LPP plus cognitive reappraisal specifically for methamphetamine is relatively new.

Where this research is happening

New York, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.