Understanding the role of the cerebellum in alcohol use disorder
Investigation of Cerebellar Involvement in AUD
This study is testing if a brain stimulation technique can help people with alcohol use disorder by looking at how a part of the brain called the cerebellum affects their cravings and responses to alcohol.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 122 (estimated) |
| Ages | 25 Years to 55 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Johns Hopkins University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Baltimore, Maryland) |
| Trial ID | NCT05732207 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study aims to explore how the cerebellum interacts with the brain's reward system in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD). It will investigate the nature of cerebellar input to the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and how this input is altered in AUD. Additionally, the study will assess the relationship between cerebellar integrity and reward activation in response to alcohol cues. Participants will undergo cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to evaluate its potential in reducing alcohol cravings and modifying brain connectivity related to reward processing.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are individuals with a diagnosis of alcohol use disorder who have completed at least 8 years of education.
Not a fit: Patients with current drug use disorders other than alcohol or significant psychiatric distress may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to new therapeutic approaches for treating alcohol use disorder by targeting cerebellar function.
How similar studies have performed: While the role of the cerebellum in addiction is emerging, this specific approach using tDCS in AUD is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * completed at least 8 years of education Exclusion Criteria: * Estimated Intelligence Quotient (IQ) \< 90 * less than 5th grade reading level * Left handed * Non-fluent in English * current drug use disorder other than alcohol (except nicotine and caffeine) and or recent drug use in the last 90 days * Positive breath alcohol level at time of MRI scan or discrepancies between alcohol biomarker and self-report that cannot be resolved * Exhibiting symptoms of alcohol withdrawal on visit 1 assessment * Significant current psychiatric distress and or treatment * History of any central nervous system disorder, presence of a seizure disorder, or use of anticonvulsant medication in the past 3 months * any serious medical condition detected on assessment or by medical record review; or have liver function tests more than three times normal at screening * History of metal implantation that would preclude MRI scanning; or other implants, pumps, pacemakers that would be contraindications for MRI scanning * Abnormal MRI scan or history of significant closed head trauma * Evidence of dementia * For women, pregnancy
Where this trial is running
Baltimore, Maryland
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine — Baltimore, Maryland, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: John E Desmond, PhD — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: John E Desmond, PhD
- Email: jdesmon2@jhmi.edu
- Phone: 410-502-3583
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.