rTMS plus cognitive-behavioral therapy for cocaine use disorder
Official title: Augmenting Cognitive-behavioral Therapy With rTMS of the Medial Prefrontal and Anterior Cingulate Cortices for the Treatment of Cocaine Use Disorder
Run by New York State Psychiatric Institute · NCT05974202 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether adding rapid magnetic brain stimulation to standard CBT helps people with cocaine use disorder reduce use and improve brain connectivity.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 22 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | New York State Psychiatric Institute Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (New York, New York) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | August 14, 2026 |
| Main results expected | April 28, 2028 |
| Study ends | April 28, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | November 2, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT05974202 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults aged 22-65 with DSM-5 diagnosed current moderate to severe cocaine use disorder who are treatment-seeking and meet study eligibility criteria.
✕Probably not a fit
Individuals with certain psychiatric comorbidities or current severe substance use disorders other than cocaine may not experience benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial evaluates the feasibility, neural mechanisms, and clinical efficacy of using the H-7 coil rTMS as an augmentation to CBT in 30 adults with cocaine use disorder. Participants receive an accelerated rTMS protocol over several days and undergo two MRI scans to assess brain changes, alongside clinical outcomes focused on abstinence. The study aims to show feasible treatment delivery, a reduction in resting-state connectivity between key brain regions after one week of active stimulation, and occurrences of consecutive weeks of abstinence during the treatment phase. It uses a controlled design with sham stimulation to determine the added value of rTMS when combined with CBT.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, participants may experience reduced cocaine use and improved brain function linked to better control over cravings.
How similar studies have gone: Previous rTMS studies in cocaine use have shown signals of effect, but rigorous sham-controlled trials remain limited, making this approach comparatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Age 22-65;
2. Able to give informed consent and comply with study procedures;
3. Meets DSM-5 criteria for current moderate/severe CUD and are treatment-seeking;
4. Used cocaine at least 6 days in the past 28 days;
5. Agree to no more than moderate alcohol consumption (\<15 drinks/week for men and \<8 drinks/week for women) and to avoid using amphetamine/methamphetamine and non-prescribed benzodiazepines or barbiturates; and
6. Women of childbearing potential must agree to use a method of contraception with proven efficacy and agree to not become pregnant during the study.
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Meets DSM-5 criteria for current moderate or severe major depressive disorder, OCD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or any psychotic disorder (other than transient psychosis due to substance use);
2. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score \> 17;
3. Young Mania Rating Scale score \>10;
4. Meets DSM-5 criteria for current moderate or severe other substance use disorder (aside from tobacco use disorder). Thus physiologic dependence on any substance other than nicotine is exclusionary (including alcohol);
5. Heavy weekly alcohol drinking as defined by an average of \>14 drinks/week for men or \>7 drinks/week for women on average during the past 28 days;
6. Prior alcohol, benzodiazepine, or barbiturate withdrawal that resulted in hospitalization, medical detoxification, or resulted in seizures or delirium tremens;
7. Non-prescribed medications/drugs that in the opinion of the investigator may change the seizure threshold, including benzodiazepines, barbiturates, GHB/GBL, amphetamines/methamphetamine;
8. Any current DSM-5 psychiatric disorder(s) that meet the following criteria in the investigator's opinion 1) are unstable, 2) would be worsened by study procedures, or 3) are likely to require acute intervention during the study period;
9. Significant current risk of suicide, indicated by either: (1) "yes" response on #3, #4, or #5 on the C-SSRS and a psychiatric risk assessment indicating a moderate or high risk of suicide or (2) suicidal behavior in the past year that, in the opinion of the clinician, increases risk of future suicidal behavior over the study period (note: non-suicidal self-injurious behavior is not exclusionary).
10. Females with a positive urine pregnancy test and/or breast feeding
11. Clinically significant abnormal cardiac functioning per electrocardiogram (ECG) (required for any participant age 60 years and older);
12. Seizure history including: seizure disorder/epilepsy, alcohol/drug withdrawal seizure, or seizure deemed by the study physician to be related to cocaine intoxication/withdrawal (note: febrile seizures are not exclusionary)
13. Other conditions associated with seizure: epilepsy and the following acute or subacute neurologic disorders: stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic), multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury (moderate or severe), neurosurgery, meningoencephalitis, increased intracerebral pressure, or intracerebral abscess, neurodegenerative disorders, and parenchymal or leptomeningeal brain tumors (per the TMS core guidelines which is attached).
Participants with a history of metabolic abnormalities (hyponatremia, hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, hypo or hyperglycemia, renal failure/uremia, liver failure), recent infection with fever, and serious alcohol withdrawal will be assessed by the MD/NP to ensure these conditions have resolved and are not currently present (per the TMS core guidelines which is attached).
In this protocol, we will also exclude glaucoma, severe migraine (particularly complicated migraines with significant aura and hemiparesis, and severe vertebrobasilar migraines, that may lead to brainstem infarctions).
14. Medications that lower seizure threshold and in the opinion of the investigator impose significant seizure risk for the individual (including tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, bupropion, clozapine, and anticholinergics). The use of lithium, antipsychotics (other than clozapine), antibiotics, antihistamines, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors will be carefully assessed by the physician
15. Cognitive disorder (MMSE \<25);
16. Disqualifying response on the TMS Adult Safety Screen (TASS);
17. Implanted devices or stimulators (cardiac pacemakers, vagus nerve stimulators, spinal cord stimulators, cochlear implant, implanted brain stimulators)
18. Currently taking ototoxic medications (aminoglycosides, cisplatin);
19. Metal implants or paramagnetic objects in the body that prohibits MR scanning;
20. Claustrophobia that prohibits MR scanning; or
21. Legally mandated (e.g., to avoid incarceration or other penalties) to participate in SUD treatment program.
22. Moderate to severe heart disease
Where it's running
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New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI) / Substance Treatment and Research Service (STARS)
New York, New York, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: John Mariani, MD — New York State Psychiatric Institute
- Study coordinator: Daniel Brooks, LCSW
- Email: daniel.brooks@nyspi.columbia.edu
- Phone: 646-774-8181
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Mild electrical brain stimulation (tDCS) with cognitive training to reduce cocaine cravings.
This trial will test whether brief sessions of mild electrical brain stimulation (tDCS) combined with cognitive reappraisal training can lower craving in adults receiving inpatient treatment for cocaine use disorder.
-
Effects of ketamine and neurofeedback on cocaine addiction
This study is testing whether combining ketamine with brain training can help people struggling with cocaine addiction reduce their use and improve their brain function.
-
HD-tDCS during CBT for Cocaine Use Disorder
This study tests whether adding high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation to cognitive behavioral therapy helps adults with cocaine use disorder see if CBT works better.
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Imaging Brain Mitochondrial Complex-I in Cocaine Use Disorder
This study uses a PET scan with [F-18]BCPP-EF to see how mitochondrial Complex-I activity in the brain differs between people with cocaine use disorder and healthy controls.
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Clonidine to reduce craving in hospitalized people with cocaine or crack use disorder
This will try clonidine versus clonazepam to see if clonidine lowers craving in people hospitalized for cocaine or crack use disorder.
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Semaglutide plus cognitive behavioral therapy for cocaine use disorder
This trial will test whether adding semaglutide (a GLP-1 medication) to cognitive behavioral therapy helps adults with cocaine use disorder reduce craving and use.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.