Can tACS modulate motivation and reward signals in cannabis use disorder and depression

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study uses transcranial alternating current stimulation to target low-frequency brain oscillations involved in reward processing. Participants with cannabis use disorder and/or major depressive disorder will complete an effortful reward task while receiving sham, delta-frequency, or theta-frequency stimulation. The goal is to see if these oscillations can be modulated to enhance neural reward responses and motivated behavior. The approach seeks to identify causal links between prefrontal oscillations and reward processing in these conditions.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria (General):

* Aged between 18 - 55 years old.
* Able to provide informed consent
* Have normal to corrected vision
* Willing to comply with all study procedures and be available for the duration of the study
* Speak and understand English.
* Negative THC saliva test and alcohol breathalyzer at all lab visits.
* Negative UTOX for any substance other than THC.

Exclusion Criteria (General):

* Mania history (Bipolar I, or current mania).
* Psychosis history.
* Current suicide intent (score \>4 on C-SRSS, or intent \>0 on SRA)
* Current moderate-to-severe SUD or AUD (Except CUD and nicotine for NEMO-CUD).
* Current pregnancy.
* Seizure, neurological conditions, or brain surgery history.
* Implanted medical devices (e.g., cochlear implants, cardiac pacemakers).
* Change in psychotropic medication in the past 3 months (i.e., medication needs to be stable for 12 weeks).
* Use of seizure threshold lowering medication (e.g., Stimulants, Benzos, SNRIs, Antipsychotics \[Adderall, Vyvanse, Xanax, Wellbutrin, Cymbalta, Lithium\] - SSRIs not exclusionary).

Specific CUD Inclusion:

* Avg. 6+ cannabis use days per week over the past 3-months, and 24+ cannabis use days in the past 30 days.
* Primary delta-9 or THC-A cannabis flower or vape concentrate user.
* Current moderate-to-severe CUD (4+ criteria in the past year, at least one criterion other than craving must be met in the past three months).
* Cannabis is the primary substance of use (Nicotine dependence is allowable)
* Not currently receiving treatment for cannabis, planning to immediately quit or reduce use.
* Lifetime history of MDE/PDD must have lifetime anhedonia symptom and/or heavy cannabis user (3+ sessions daily for at least past year including the past 3-months and past 30 days).

Specific MDD Inclusion:

* Current MDE diagnosis.
* No lifetime history of severe SUD.
* No current moderate-to-severe SUD.
* 100% of NEMO-MDD participants elevated anhedonia on TEPS-C (i.e., 32 or lower on TEPS-C subscale).

Specific Control Inclusion:

* No current or historical psychiatric diagnosis.

Where it's running

• The Riddle Lab at Florida State University
  Tallahassee, Florida, United States Recruiting
• The BRAINS Lab at Florida State University
  Tallahassee, Florida, United States Not yet recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Richard J Macatee, Ph.D. — Florida State University
• Study coordinator: Zoe Howell Doctoral Student PI, M.Res.
• Email: brains@psy.fsu.edu
• Phone: 850-644-2445

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.