RECRUITINGINTERVENTIONAL

Modification of Inhibitory Control and Craving Through Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) as an Add-On Treatment for Substance Use Disorder

About This Trial

The aim of this project is to investigate the potential of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to reduce cognitive deficits and substance craving in individuals with substance use disorders (SUD), with a focus on alcohol use disorder (AUD). Patients of any gender between the ages of 18 and 65 are examined who are in our inpatient and day clinic settings for a standard detoxification treatment program. As there are conflicting findings regarding the effective settings for tDCS as an adjunctive treatment in SUD (e.g., effects on inhibitory control seem to be sensitive to current direction), the aim is to examine and compare three different active tDCS conditions, a sham tDCS condition (placebo), inhibition training, and a control group of patients receiving only standard detoxification treatment. The aim is to identify the optimal electrode placement and current direction to positively influence both inhibitory control and craving, leading to improved treatment outcomes such as longer abstinence periods or reduced substance use after relapse.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

Who May Qualify: - main diagnosis: alcohol use disorder according to DSM-5 - patients of any gender aged 18 to 65 - normal vision or correctable visual impairment. - sufficient ability to communicate verbally and in writing - ability to give fully willing to sign a consent form after reviewing thorough written information Who Should NOT Join This Trial: - withdrawal of consent - severe internal, neurological, or psychiatric comorbidities (e.g., lifetime schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or other severe mental disorders according to ICD-10 and DSM-5, such as severe depression or PTSD within the last 12 months). - Exclusion criteria for an EEG/tDCS examination (e.g. metal implants in the head, epilepsy, etc.) - severe withdrawal symptoms (CIWA-R \> 7) - alcohol intoxication (breath alcohol concentration \> 0 ‰) - Pharmacotherapy with psychoactive substances within the last 14 days (exceptions: clomethiazole or benzodiazepines used in withdrawal treatment, provided they were discontinued at least 3 days prior; antidepressants or anxiolytics taken at stable doses). - drug or alcohol use within the last 7 days - for women: pregnancy - suicidal tendencies or danger to others Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language

Inclusion Criteria: * main diagnosis: alcohol use disorder according to DSM-5 * patients of any gender aged 18 to 65 * normal vision or correctable visual impairment. * sufficient ability to communicate verbally and in writing * ability to give fully informed consent after reviewing thorough written information Exclusion Criteria: * withdrawal of consent * severe internal, neurological, or psychiatric comorbidities (e.g., lifetime schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or other severe mental disorders according to ICD-10 and DSM-5, such as severe depression or PTSD within the last 12 months). * Exclusion criteria for an EEG/tDCS examination (e.g. metal implants in the head, epilepsy, etc.) * severe withdrawal symptoms (CIWA-R \> 7) * alcohol intoxication (breath alcohol concentration \> 0 ‰) * Pharmacotherapy with psychoactive substances within the last 14 days (exceptions: clomethiazole or benzodiazepines used in withdrawal treatment, provided they were discontinued at least 3 days prior; antidepressants or anxiolytics taken at stable doses). * drug or alcohol use within the last 7 days * for women: pregnancy * suicidal tendencies or danger to others

Treatments Being Tested

DEVICE

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)

tDCS sessions on five consecutive days for 20 minutes.

BEHAVIORAL

Inhibition Training

Computerized Training of inhibitory control (Go-/No-Go task with pictures of preferred alcohol) on five consecutive days.

Locations (2)

Central Institute of Mental Health

Mannheim, Germany

Psychiatrisches Zentrum Nordbaden (Psychiatric Center Nordbaden)

Wiesloch, Germany