Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Treatment of Stimulant Use Disorder
VA-StARTS
2 other identifiers
interventional
106
1 country
1
Brief Summary
The purpose of this study is to establish a new treatment (repetitive transcranial stimulation (rTMS)) for Veterans with stimulant use disorder (SUD). Despite the large public health burden imposed by SUD, there is currently no FDA-approved or widely recognized effective somatic treatment. This placebo controlled study will test the effectiveness of rTMS in the treatment of SUD, and explore biomarkers that may guide patient selection for rTMS treatment and predict treatment response.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable
Started May 2026
Longer than P75 for not_applicable
1 active site
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
First Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
July 25, 2025
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
August 8, 2025
CompletedStudy Start
First participant enrolled
May 1, 2026
CompletedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
December 31, 2029
ExpectedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
December 31, 2029
April 2, 2026
March 1, 2026
3.7 years
July 25, 2025
March 27, 2026
Conditions
Keywords
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (1)
Number of Participants Relapsed
Rate of stimulant use relapse compared between active vs. sham rTMS groups
3 months after last rTMS treatment
Secondary Outcomes (1)
Reward circuit function and signaling
Within 1 week before rTMS treatment and within 1 week after rTMS treatment
Study Arms (2)
Active rTMS
EXPERIMENTALReceive active rTMS
Sham rTMS
SHAM COMPARATORReceive sham rTMS
Interventions
rTMS is a non-invasive procedure in which administering a transient magnetic field induces electrical currents in specific, targeted brain regions. The intervention (active and sham) will be administered in 30 sessions across 2 weeks. The brain region targeted is the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.
Subjects randomized to sham rTMS will undergo the same procedures on the same equipment as subjects assigned to active rTMS, but no active magnetic stimulation will be delivered.
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders (SCID) confirmed diagnosis of SUD, severe
- Last use of stimulants \>2 and \<8 weeks
- Stable medication regimen (no change in dose or agents between 2 weeks prior to the start of and throughout the treatment phase of the study)
- Stable medical health
You may not qualify if:
- Pregnant or lactating female
- History of prior adverse reaction to TMS
- On medications thought to significantly lower seizure threshold, e.g. clozapine, chlorpromazine, clomipramine, and bupropion \> 400mg/day
- Seizure disorder or conditions known to substantially increase risk for seizures
- Implants or medical devices incompatible with TMS
- Acute or unstable chronic medical illness that would affect participation or compliance in the study, e.g. unstable angina
- Unstable psychiatric symptoms that precludes consistent participation in the study, e.g. active current suicidal intent or plan; severe psychosis
- Other substance use disorder not in remission
- Chronic or recurring Axis I psychotic disorders
- For subjects participating in fMRI scans, presence of ferromagnetic material in their body or taking DAergic medications
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
- VA Office of Research and Developmentlead
- Stanford Universitycollaborator
Study Sites (1)
VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto, California, 94304-1207, United States
MeSH Terms
Interventions
Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Study Officials
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Jong H. Yoon, MD
VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA
Central Study Contacts
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- not applicable
- Allocation
- RANDOMIZED
- Masking
- QUADRUPLE
- Who Masked
- PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
- Masking Details
- This is a double-blind study in which participants, staff administering treatment, investigators, and outcome assessors are all masked to group assignments.
- Purpose
- TREATMENT
- Intervention Model
- PARALLEL
- Sponsor Type
- FED
- Responsible Party
- SPONSOR
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
July 25, 2025
First Posted
August 8, 2025
Study Start
May 1, 2026
Primary Completion (Estimated)
December 31, 2029
Study Completion (Estimated)
December 31, 2029
Last Updated
April 2, 2026
Record last verified: 2026-03
Data Sharing
- IPD Sharing
- Will not share