Using brain stimulation to help people stop drinking alcohol

Interest of tDCS in Help for Supporting Alcohol Abstinence

This study is testing if a type of brain stimulation can help people with alcohol use disorder stay sober after they stop drinking.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 90 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 70 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Centre Hospitalier Henri Laborit (other)
• Locations: 2 sites (Poitiers and 1 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT03287154 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in supporting alcohol abstinence in patients with alcohol use disorder. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either active tDCS or sham (placebo) sessions over a two-week period, following a withdrawal phase. The study aims to compare the outcomes of both groups at three months post-treatment, with assessments conducted by blinded investigators. The goal is to determine if active tDCS can enhance the likelihood of maintaining abstinence from alcohol.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 to 70 with a diagnosed alcohol use disorder who are seeking withdrawal support.

Not a fit: Patients with active epilepsy, those under guardianship, or women of reproductive age without effective contraception may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a new non-invasive treatment option to help individuals maintain alcohol abstinence.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies using tDCS for various conditions have shown promising results, suggesting potential efficacy in this novel application for alcohol dependence.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* patient aged from 18 to 70 years old
* patient free, without guardianship
* absence of epileptic pathology
* patient affiliated to the french health security or benefiting through a third party
* signed informed consent after having received a clear and honest information on the study.
* patient with a disorder linked to the use of alcohol (define by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) classification) clinically evaluated.
* patient requesting for an alcohol withdrawal
* patient able to read and write

Exclusion Criteria:

* patient not affiliated to the french health security or not benefiting through a third party
* woman in reproductive capacity without effective contraception (hormonal/mechanical: per os, injectable, transcutaneous, implantable, intra-uterine device or chirurgical: tubal ligation, hysterectomy, total ovariectomy) or breastfeeding
* patient hospitalized under duress
* patient with guardianship
* somatic complications during the alcohol withdrawal phase
* current psychiatric decompensation (mood disorder, suicide risk, psychotic disorders).
* patient under benzodiazepines treatment
* patient with scalp cutaneous lesion
* history of cranial traumatism
* patient with intra-cerebral metallic object
* patient with a pacemaker
* epileptic pathology
* patient in emergency condition or unable to give personally her/his consent
* another dependence other than alcohol or tobacco
* mental illness syndrome and Korsakoff

Where this trial is running

Poitiers and 1 other locations

• Centre Hospitalier Henri Laborit — Poitiers, France (RECRUITING)
• Centre Hospitalier Nord-Deux-Sèvres — Thouars, France (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Nematollah Jaafari, Professor — Centre Hospitalier Henri Laborit
• Study coordinator: Nematollah Jaafari, Professor

Conditions: Alcoholic Intoxication, Alcohol Abstinence, Alcohol Addiction, Alcohol Consumption, Alcohol Dependence