Combined brain stimulation and cognitive training for opioid use disorder on buprenorphine
Official title: Combined tDCS and cognitive training as an adjunctive treatment in opioid use disorder
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-11398020 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new program tests whether non-invasive brain stimulation plus thinking-training can help people on buprenorphine recover from opioid use disorder.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $668,658 |
| NIH project number | 5UG3DA061615-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11398020 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with opioid use disorder who are receiving buprenorphine maintenance therapy and are willing to participate in brain stimulation and cognitive training sessions.
✕Less likely to help
People not on buprenorphine maintenance or who cannot participate in brain stimulation sessions may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project will give participants on buprenorphine maintenance for OUD ten sessions of active tDCS to the prefrontal area, paired with cognitive training tasks. Researchers will measure brain network changes and cognitive performance before, during, and after the 10-session course. The goal is to see if this approach strengthens brain circuits related to self-control and decision making and improves treatment outcomes. The study uses an open-label, within-subject design during the UG3 phase and will collect brain imaging data to understand neural engagement. If successful, this could guide future trials to enhance recovery for people with OUD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to a non-drug way to boost treatment effectiveness for people on buprenorphine.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work in alcohol use disorder showed improved brain connectivity and reduced relapse with a similar intervention, suggesting potential applicability to OUD.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Camchong, Y. Jazmin — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Camchong, Y. Jazmin
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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.