Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulations in Patients With Amphetamine Use Disorders

Launched by TSAOTUN PSYCHIATRIC CENTER, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, TAIWAN · Apr 28, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring a new treatment for people struggling with Amphetamine Use Disorder (AUD), which is a significant problem in Taiwan. Since there are currently no effective approved medications for this condition, researchers are investigating whether Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) can help reduce cravings and drug use. rTMS is a non-invasive method that uses magnetic fields to stimulate specific areas of the brain. In this study, 20 participants diagnosed with AUD will be randomly assigned to receive either real rTMS treatment or a placebo (a treatment that looks the same but has no active effect). The treatment will take place over two weeks, and researchers will track the participants' cravings, drug use through urine tests, and any side effects for 12 weeks following the treatment.

To be eligible for this study, participants must be at least 20 years old, fluent in Chinese, and diagnosed with AUD by a specialist. They also need to be in good health and willing to follow the study's guidelines. Participants should not have certain medical conditions, past neurological issues, or be pregnant or nursing. If you or someone you know is interested in this study, it could provide insight into new treatment options for AUD and help improve outcomes for individuals facing this challenge.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age ≥20 years.
• • Meeting DSM-5 criteria for substance use disorder made by a specialist in addiction psychiatry.
• • Fluency in Chinese.
• • Willingness and ability to comply with study requirements.
• • Good physical health determined by complete physical examination, and laboratory tests.
• • Patient or a reliable caregiver can be expected to ensure acceptable compliance and visit attendance for the duration of the study.
• • Trained psychiatrists will assess eligible patients using the structured clinical interview for the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) (Sheehan et al., 1998) to determine the presence of any psychotic disorder.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Evidence of an uncontrolled and/or clinically significant medical condition, e.g., cardiac, hepatic and renal failure that would compromise patient safety or preclude study participation.
• • Premorbid mental retardation.
• • Other major Axis-I Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5) diagnoses other than substance use disorder.
• • Pregnancy or nursing.
• • History of seizures or epilepsy.
• • History of neurological diseases or traumatic brain injury.
• • Suicidal attempts or risks during screening or study period.
• • Presence of prosthesis devices, e.g. pace-makers, cochlear prosthesis, neuro- stimulators, magnetic cochlear prosthesis, intraocular metallic fragments.