NCT04426214

Brief Summary

The relapsing nature of substance use disorder is a major obstacle to successful treatment. About 70% of those entering treatment will relapse within one year. To improve treatment outcome, new interventions targeting the underlying brain biomarkers of relapse vulnerability hold significant promise in reducing this critical public health problem. This study is testing a new intervention, namely tDCS-Augmented Cognitive Training, to engage these brain biomarkers to improve cognition and improve treatment outcomes.

Trial Health

77
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
80

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable

Timeline
3mo left

Started Jul 2021

Longer than P75 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
recruiting

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Progress94%
Jul 2021Sep 2026

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

May 29, 2020

Completed
13 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

June 11, 2020

Completed
1.1 years until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

July 16, 2021

Completed
5.1 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

September 1, 2026

Expected
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

September 1, 2026

Last Updated

August 26, 2025

Status Verified

August 1, 2025

Enrollment Period

5.1 years

First QC Date

May 29, 2020

Last Update Submit

August 25, 2025

Conditions

Keywords

tDCSCognitive TrainingPlasticity

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Percent of participants with clean drug screens

    2 months

Study Arms (2)

Active tDCS

EXPERIMENTAL
Device: tDCSBehavioral: Cognitive Training

Sham tDCS

PLACEBO COMPARATOR
Behavioral: Cognitive Training

Interventions

tDCSDEVICE

We will apply tDCS in combination with cognitive training. All participants receive cognitive training, and will be randomized to receive either active or sham tDCS

Active tDCS

cognitive training on computer

Active tDCSSham tDCS

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 65 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Abstinent from any substance or alcohol use (excluding caffeine or nicotine) for a minimum of 3 weeks at study enrollment
  • Has the intention to remain in their treatment program(s) until the end of the intervention portion of the study.
  • Able to provide written consent and comply with study procedures.
  • Meets the MINI 7 diagnostic criteria for either stimulant use disorder (SUD) or alcohol use disorder (AUD).

You may not qualify if:

  • Any medical condition or treatment with neurological sequelae (i.e. stroke, tumor, HIV)
  • Over 9 months of abstinence from substance use
  • A head injury resulting in a loss of consciousness exceeding 30 minutes (i.e., moderate or severe TBI)
  • Presence of a condition that would render study measures difficult or impossible to administer or interpret
  • Age outside the range of 18 to 65
  • Entrance to the treatment program under a court mandate. (i.e. legally incarcerated)
  • History of ECT or cortical energy exposure within the past 6 months, including participation in any other neuromodulation studies

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

University of Minnesota Fairview

Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55454, United States

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Alcoholism

Interventions

Transcranial Direct Current StimulationCognitive Training

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Alcohol-Related DisordersSubstance-Related DisordersChemically-Induced DisordersMental Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Electric Stimulation TherapyTherapeuticsConvulsive TherapyPsychiatric Somatic TherapiesBehavioral Disciplines and ActivitiesElectroshockPsychological TechniquesNeurological RehabilitationRehabilitationAftercareContinuity of Patient CarePatient CareHealth ServicesHealth Care Facilities Workforce and Services

Study Officials

  • Kelvin Lim, MD

    University of Minnesota

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Melanie Stimac

CONTACT

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

May 29, 2020

First Posted

June 11, 2020

Study Start

July 16, 2021

Primary Completion (Estimated)

September 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

September 1, 2026

Last Updated

August 26, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-08

Locations