Using brain stimulation to help Veterans with PTSD quit smoking
Official title: Neuroimaging correlates and feasibility of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to improve smoking cessation outcomes in Veterans with comorbid PTSD
Funded at Durham VA Medical Center · NIH-10873007 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a special treatment called rTMS can help Veterans with PTSD quit smoking by understanding how their brains react to tobacco, so they can get the support they need to stop smoking for good.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Durham VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| NIH project number | 5IK2CX002610-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10873007 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Veterans aged 21 and older who have PTSD and are seeking help to quit smoking.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have PTSD or are not Veterans may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to improve smoking cessation outcomes specifically in Veterans who also suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). By employing neuroimaging techniques, the study aims to understand the brain's response to tobacco use and how rTMS can modulate these responses to support quitting. The approach includes evaluating the effectiveness of rTMS as a treatment option, particularly for those who have been excluded from previous studies due to their psychiatric conditions. The goal is to develop a tailored intervention that addresses the unique challenges faced by this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, effective treatment option for Veterans with PTSD who struggle to quit smoking.
How similar studies have gone: While rTMS has shown promise in civilian populations for smoking cessation, this approach is novel for Veterans with PTSD and has not been extensively tested in this specific group.
Where this research is happening
-
Durham VA Medical Center
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Young, Jonathan R — Durham VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Young, Jonathan R
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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.