Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Effects Using Magnetoencephalography (MEG) Study

Recruiting now · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Alcohol Use Disorder, Alcohol Dependence, Alcohol Consumption

In brief

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a complex chronic brain disease characterized by compulsive alcohol use, loss of control over drinking, and negative emotional states. Extensive research has identified the general neural circuitry underlying AUD. There is an exciting opportunity to intervene in AUD using neuromodulation. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) offers a non-invasive method to modulate brain activity, making it a promising tool for investigating, modulating, and potentially treating AUD. However, the precise effects of TMS on neural circuits involved in AUD and the mechanisms underlying these effects must first be understood. Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is a neuroimaging method that provides direct measurement of brain activity within neural circuits with high temporal resolution. Critically, MEG can measure brain activity in a wide range of frequencies that are consistent with those targeted by TMS. The goal of this proposal is therefore to collect preliminary and feasibility data to support a future NIH grant application that would use MEG to investigate TMS effects in individuals with AUD (iAUD).

Key facts

Study ID

NCT06770556

Run by

Wake Forest University Health Sciences

People needed

10

Starts

2025-03-21

Expected to finish

2026-12-31

Last updated by the study team

2026-04-17

Who can join

Age: 21 and older, up to 65. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may not qualify if…

• Current substance use disorder other than alcohol use disorder and/or frequent use of non-prescribed psychoactive substances.
• Current serious psychiatric disorder, and/or any history of a psychotic disorder
• Any health problem that would interfere with the study or could be aggravated by study procedures (e.g., history of migraines, claustrophobia).
• Is currently taking or initiates a medication known to affect alcohol intake and/or craving.
• History of traumatic brain injury resulting in hospitalization, loss of consciousness, and/or having ever been informed he/she has an epidural, subdural, or subarachnoid hemorrhage.
• Does not meet safety criteria for TMS or MRI.
• Females of childbearing potential who are pregnant (by urine HCG), planning to become pregnant, nursing, or who are not using a reliable form of birth control.
• Is at an elevated risk of seizure (i.e. has a history of seizures, is currently prescribed medications known to lower seizure threshold and has had a change in their medication).
• Clinical Intake Withdrawal Assessment (CIWA>5) (to prevent delivering TMS to individuals in withdrawal).
• Not able to read and understand questionnaires, assessments, and/or the informed consent.

Where it is running

• Wake Forest University Health Sciences — Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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