Magnetic brain stimulation to change how people with severe cannabis use disorder recognize cannabis-related problems

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

The study tests whether manipulating activity in the medial orbitofrontal cortex with three forms of theta burst stimulation (sham, intermittent, continuous) changes cannabis use–related problem recognition. Each participant will receive all three stimulation conditions across four in-person laboratory sessions that include questionnaires, four brief MRI scans, three TBS sessions, and three EEG sessions, plus urine testing. Eligible participants must have current severe Cannabis Use Disorder, frequent recent cannabis use, a THC-positive urine sample, and report multiple cannabis-related problems, while people with frequent non-cannabis illicit drug use or moderate/severe alcohol use disorder are excluded. Behavioral measures of problem recognition will be compared after each stimulation condition to test whether altering OFC activity produces measurable changes in problem awareness.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Meets criteria for current, severe Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD), as assessed by the Structured Clinical Interview (SCID) for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) during the screening interview
* Reports engagement in cannabis use at least four days per week, on average, over the past year
* Provide a urine sample positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
* Able to read and write in English
* Has used cannabis at least 20 days in the past month
* Endorses at least 10 distinct (of 40 possible) cannabis use-related problems across the screening interview and Lab Visit 1 questionnaires

Exclusion Criteria:

* Other non-cannabis illicit substance use more than once per month, on average, over the past year
* Current DSM-5 moderate or severe Alcohol Use Disorder, as assessed by the Structured Clinical Interview (SCID) for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) during the screening interview
* History of bipolar I or psychosis spectrum disorders, as assessed by the SCID for DSM-5 during the screening interview
* Acute suicidality requiring treatment escalation, as assessed during the screening interview
* Currently taking any daily psychotropic medication
* Failure to meet standard MRI inclusion criteria (i.e., no presence of claustrophobia; cardiac pacemakers; neural pacemakers; surgical clips in the brain or blood vessels; surgically implanted metal plates, screws, or pins; cochlear implants; implanted uterine devices; metal braces; other metal objects in the body; history of significant injury to the brain or spinal cord; or pregnancy)
* Medical contraindications for transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS; i.e., presence of a neurological disorder known to alter risk for seizures \[e.g., stroke, aneurysm, brain surgery, structural brain lesion, brain injury, frequent/severe headaches\], current medication therapy known to alter seizure threshold \[e.g., clomipramine, Monoamine Oxidase inhibitors, imipramine, clozapine\], recurrent seizures or epilepsy or family history of hereditary epilepsy, pregnancy, metallic implants in the body or other devices that may be affected by magnetic fields, or significant heart disease or cerebrovascular disease)
* History of allergies to cosmetics/lotions or EEG gel
* History of migraines
* Currently engaged in treatment for Cannabis Use Disorder

Where it's running

• Auburn University Neuroimaging Center
  Auburn, Alabama, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Brandon Schermitzler, M.S.
• Email: bzs0103@auburn.edu
• Phone: 334-844-6642

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

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

  We’re testing whether a gentle brain stimulation method (tACS) can boost motivation and reward responses in adults with cannabis use and/or depression to see if it helps with anhedonia.

  Recruiting Florida State University · Tallahassee, Florida and 1 other locations · NCT07924852

• Sex differences in how cannabis affects people who regularly use it

  This Phase 2 trial tests whether men and women who use cannabis several days a week respond differently to THC versus placebo.

  Recruiting Phase 2 Medical University of South Carolina · Charleston, South Carolina · NCT07815691

• Semaglutide for cannabis use disorder: see if a medicine helps reduce use

  This study tests whether weekly injections of semaglutide can help adults with cannabis use disorder reduce their cannabis use compared with placebo.

  Recruiting Phase 2 Psychiatric Centre Rigshospitalet · Frederiksberg · NCT07523633

• Brain imaging to predict teens' response to cannabis treatment

  This project will test whether teens' brain activity during a learning task can predict how well 14–17-year-olds do in a 10-week virtual reward program to reduce cannabis use.

  Recruiting Indiana University · Indianapolis, Indiana · NCT07340554

• Reducing cannabis use to improve daily functioning.

  This program will try an 8-week combination of motivational interviewing, computerized CBT (CBT4CBT), and small financial rewards to help adults with cannabis use disorder cut back on cannabis.

  Recruiting Medical University of South Carolina · Charleston, South Carolina · NCT07218471

• Home-based brain stimulation with guided mindfulness for cannabis use disorder

  This project tests whether daily at-home mild brain stimulation plus guided mindfulness can help adults with cannabis use disorder reduce or stop their cannabis use.

  Recruiting NYU Langone Health · New York, New York · NCT07184983

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.