Cognitively-enhanced tDCS to reduce cocaine craving
Official title: Cognitively-enhanced tDCS of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex to reduce craving in cocaine addiction
Funded at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-11550899 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to test whether real brain stimulation together with learning strategies can lessen craving in people with cocaine use disorder.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $168,998 |
| NIH project number | 3R01DA060914-02S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11550899 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with cocaine use disorder who are willing to participate in a brain-stimulation study and cognitive training.
✕Less likely to help
People who cannot tolerate brain stimulation or who do not engage with the cognitive training may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project tests a portable brain-stimulation device applied to the prefrontal cortex while participants go through cognitive reappraisal training to curb drug cue responses. It is a double-blind randomized trial with four groups, including real or sham stimulation and with or without reappraisal training, to see which approach best lowers craving. The trial will enroll up to 120 adults in real-world clinical settings at an academic medical center. If successful, it could point to a practical treatment option that patients could use alongside existing care. The researchers have already completed a Phase-1 study suggesting promise of this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients may gain a non-drug option to reduce cravings and improve treatment outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary Phase-1 work showed reduced craving with real tDCS in CUD when paired with training.
Where this research is happening
-
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goldstein, Rita Z — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Goldstein, Rita Z
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.