Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for stimulant use disorders (STIMULUS): protocol for a multi-site,...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Addiction Medicine

Background:

• Cocaine and methamphetamine use disorders (CcUD/MtUD) present significant public health challenges with no FDA-approved treatments.
• The STIMULUS study investigates repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for moderate to severe CcUD/MtUD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of rTMS for CcUD/MtUD.
• To evaluate rTMS's impact on stimulant use, craving, mood, anxiety, and sleep.
• To explore electroencephalography as a potential biomarker for treatment response.

Main Methods:

• A double-blind, sham-controlled trial recruiting 160 participants with moderate to severe CcUD or MtUD.
• Participants randomized to active rTMS (10-Hz stimulation over left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) or sham.
• Feasibility measured by achieving at least 20 sessions within 8 weeks.

Main Results:

• This section is not available in the provided abstract.

Conclusions:

• Current rTMS research for stimulant use disorders is limited by small sample sizes and heterogeneity.
• Key design decisions include safety, sham procedures, and flexible scheduling.
• This study aims to inform a larger randomized controlled trial for CcUD/MtUD treatment.