Transcranial Ultrasound Stimulation As a Neuromodulation Therapy for Craving and Relapse Behaviors in Alcohol Use Disorder.

Launched by SHANGHAI MENTAL HEALTH CENTER · Mar 4, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new treatment called transcranial ultrasound stimulation to help people with alcohol use disorder (AUD). The goal is to see if this treatment can reduce cravings for alcohol and help prevent relapse, which is when a person goes back to drinking after trying to stop. In this study, participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the active treatment or a fake version (called sham treatment) that does not have any real effects.

To participate, individuals should be aged between 18 and 60, have a certain level of education, and meet specific criteria for AUD. Participants will need to be willing to complete questionnaires and follow-up assessments. It's important to note that some people may not be eligible, especially if they have certain medical conditions or past treatments that could interfere with the study. If you join this trial, you will help researchers learn more about a possible new way to support people struggling with alcohol cravings and behaviors. The study is not yet recruiting participants, but it could be an important step towards better treatments for AUD in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Education level of junior high school or above, capable of completing questionnaires and behavioral tests;
• • Aged 18-60 years;
• • Meet DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder;
• • No abnormal findings on physical examination;
• • Agree to participate in follow-up assessments;
• • No contraindications for MRI scanning.
• Exclusion criteria:
• • Have impaired intelligence (Intelligence Quotient\<70);
• • Prior tDCS or TMS treatment within the past 3 months;
• • Contraindications for TMS therapy (e.g., intracranial metal implants, history of traumatic brain injury, skull defects, cardiac pacemakers, cardiovascular diseases, or epilepsy);
• • Severe somatic diseases or major organ dysfunction;
• • Psychiatric disorders per DSM-5 criteria (e.g., schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, dementia, memory impairment, or other cognitive disorders);