Using brain stimulation to help improve alcohol treatment outcomes
Longitudinal Investigation of TMS as a Tool to Improve Alcohol Treatment Outcomes
This study is looking at whether a special brain treatment called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can help people with alcohol use disorder stay sober and reduce their cravings for alcohol.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10844805 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) as a potential treatment to enhance outcomes for individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either real or sham TMS targeting specific areas of the brain, namely the ventral medial prefrontal cortex or the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The study aims to measure the effectiveness of these treatments by tracking the number of days participants remain abstinent from alcohol and the frequency of heavy drinking days. Additionally, changes in cravings will also be assessed to evaluate the overall impact of the treatment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults diagnosed with alcohol use disorder who are seeking treatment options.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have alcohol use disorder or those who are not seeking treatment may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies for individuals struggling with alcohol use disorder.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results using brain stimulation techniques for various addiction treatments, indicating potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
Winston-Salem, United States
- Wake Forest University Health Sciences — Winston-Salem, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Addicott, Merideth a. — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Addicott, Merideth a.
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 below.