rTMS for Tobacco Use in Veterans

Launched by VA OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT · Jul 1, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new way to help Veterans quit smoking using a treatment called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). This is a safe, non-invasive method that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate certain areas of the brain and has been approved by the FDA to help people stop smoking. The study will compare two different types of rTMS to see which one works better for Veterans who want to quit smoking. Since smoking can cause serious health problems like cancer and heart disease, finding better ways to help Veterans quit is very important.

Veterans between the ages of 18 and 70 who currently smoke at least 10 cigarettes a day and are motivated to quit may be eligible to join the study. Participants need to be stable on any mental health medications they take and must not have certain medical conditions like seizures or serious heart problems. Women must not be pregnant and should use birth control. During the trial, participants will receive one of the two rTMS treatments and will be asked to follow the study’s procedures. This trial is not yet recruiting, but it offers a promising opportunity for Veterans looking for new support to stop smoking.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Veteran
• • Males and females between the ages of 18 and 70
• • Individuals who smoke 10 or more cigarettes per day and have a CO level \> 10 ppm indicative of recent smoking
• • Those who have not received substance abuse treatment within the previous 30 days
• • Those who have been stable on psychotropic medications for at least three months
• • For females, those who test non-pregnant and use adequate birth control
• • Those who are willing to provide informed consent
• • Those who can comply with protocol requirements and likely complete all study procedures
• • Those who are motivated to quit smoking (based on responses of "very likely" or "somewhat likely" in the motivation questionnaire
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Current moderate to severe substance use of any psychoactive substances other than nicotine or caffeine, as defined by DSM-V criteria
• • Contraindications to MRI (e.g., metal in the skull, orbital or intracranial cavity, or claustrophobia)
• • Contraindications to rTMS (history of a seizure or epilepsy)
• • A history of autoimmune, endocrine, viral, or vascular disorders affecting the brain
• • History or MRI evidence of neurological disorder that would lead to local or diffuse brain lesions or significant physical impairment
• • Unstable cardiac disease, uncontrolled hypertension, severe renal or liver insufficiency, or sleep apnea
• • Major Axis I disorders diagnosed according to DSM-V criteria, such as bipolar affective disorder, schizophrenia, dementia, or major depression
• • Regarding the Veteran population, we will enroll smokers who have PTSD
• • Current use of other forms of nicotine delivery, such as nicotine patches or electronic cigarettes
• • Currently prescribed bupropion and/or varenicline