Teaching mental re-framing to lower growing reactions to cocaine cues

Cognitive Reappraisal for Mitigating Incubation of Cocaine Cue-Reactivity

NIH-funded research Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-11176319

This project teaches people recovering from cocaine use a mental re-framing technique to lower their brain and craving reactions to drug-related triggers.

Quick facts

Grant typeR37 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionIcahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-11176319 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

If I join, I would learn a cognitive reappraisal skill to change how I think about things that remind me of cocaine so they feel less powerful. The researchers will record my brain responses with EEG (tracking a signal called the late positive potential) and ask about my cravings and behavior. They will follow people over weeks to months of abstinence to see if the training prevents the usual rise in cue-reactivity. Training sessions, EEG recordings, and follow-up visits will likely be done in person at the research site.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with recent or ongoing cocaine use who are abstinent or working toward abstinence and are willing to attend training and EEG visits at the research site.

Not a fit: People without a history of cocaine use, those unwilling or unable to practice cognitive strategies or attend in-person visits, or individuals with severe uncontrolled psychiatric or medical problems may not benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could reduce cue-triggered craving and lower the chance of relapse for people recovering from cocaine use.

How similar studies have performed: Prior lab studies show cognitive reappraisal can reduce cue-related brain signals and cravings, but using it to stop the rise in cue-reactivity across months of abstinence is a newer approach.

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.