Image-guided, Robot Navigated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (IR-TMS) for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) (NCT06648642)
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
This study is testing a new treatment called IR-TMS (image-guided, robot navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation) to see if it can help people who drink too much alcohol to reduce the amount they drink. Participants will be placed into one of three groups, each receiving a slightly different version of this treatment. The study involves going through a few sessions of IR-TMS, having brain scans (MRI), providing blood and urine samples, and answering questions about their drinking and mental health. These activities are part of the study and aren't usually part of regular treatment for alcohol use. IR-TMS is different from regular treatments like therapy or medication because it uses magnetic fields to target specific parts of the brain. The goal is to see if this treatment can help reduce the urge to drink. There are other options, like sticking with therapy or medication, which are less intense but have been used for a longer time.
Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (5 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (11 items).
Location: Be Well Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center - Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences — San Antonio, Texas
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistCheck every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).
Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:
- Exclusion Criteria:
- Current diagnosis of a moderate or severe substance use disorder (SUD; other than AUD, cannabis, or nicotine)
- Inability to provide informed consent
- Alcohol withdrawal-related seizure or hospitalization in the prior 12 months
- Currently enrolled in AUD treatment
- Psychiatrically or medically unsafe to participate due to a documented diagnostic history of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder
- Any history or signs of serious medical or neurological illness including seizure disorders
- History of traumatic brain injury (TBI) with loss of consciousness for 20 minutes or more
- Liver enzymes that are more than 5x the normal range
- Females will be excluded if they are pregnant
- Any history or signs of metal objects in the body deemed unsafe for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or that may adversely affect image quality of the brain region (e.g. surgical clips, cardiac pacemakers, metal implants, etc.)
🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)
- Be Well Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center - Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences — San Antonio, Texas
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.