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Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Cannabis Use Disorder

Primary Purpose

Cannabis Use Disorder

Status
Recruiting
Phase
Not Applicable
Locations
Canada
Study Type
Interventional
Intervention
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Sponsored by
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
About
Eligibility
Locations
Arms
Outcomes
Full info

About this trial

This is an interventional treatment trial for Cannabis Use Disorder focused on measuring Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Cannabis, Substance Use Disorder, Prefrontal Cortex, Insula, Neuroimaging

Eligibility Criteria

18 Years - 65 Years (Adult, Older Adult)All SexesDoes not accept healthy volunteers

Inclusion Criteria: Must be deemed to have capacity to provide informed consent Age between 18 to 65 Diagnosis of cannabis use disorder according to the DSM-5 and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID for DSM-541) Report cannabis as the primary drug of concern, a frequent pattern of use (≥5 days per week), and a goal of reduction or abstinence of cannabis use CUDIT-R score ≥12 Marijuana Contemplation Ladder ≥7 Cannabis positive urine drug screen, with Narcochek baseline THC-COOH level of >150 ng/ml. On a stable regimen of their psychotropic medications for 14 days before enrolment. Exclusion Criteria: Pregnant or intending to be pregnant during the study Diagnosis of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia spectrum disorder, or other active concurrent psychiatric disorder that is too unstable and may preclude safe participation in the trial as deemed by the PI. Substance use disorder other than cannabis or nicotine, that is of moderate severity or greater, or is the primary substance of concern based on the SCID for DSM-5 Known active seizure disorder, significant head injury with an imaging verified lesion Unstable medical illness Presence of cardiac pacemaker, intracranial implant, or metal in the cranium Participants taking > 2 mg lorazepam (or a benzodiazepine at an equivalent dose) or taking any anticonvulsant medication during treatment.

Sites / Locations

  • Centre for Addiction and Mental HealthRecruiting

Arms of the Study

Arm 1

Arm 2

Arm Type

Active Comparator

Active Comparator

Arm Label

High-Frequency (HF)

Low-Frequency (LF)

Arm Description

10 Hz rTMS

1 Hz rTMS

Outcomes

Primary Outcome Measures

Feasibility of study completion as assessed by completion rates
Feasibility is determined by completion of the study and all associated study assessments, without withdrawing or being withdrawn from the study. Withdrawal from the study can be dropping out for any reason, including intolerability, serious adverse events, or inability to adhere to study procedures.
Tolerability of Intervention as assessed by adverse event reporting
This will be assessed through a side effect report at each treatment session. Safety monitoring will be implemented through the documentation and monitoring of adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs) using incidence tables by severity, relationship to treatment and baseline parameters.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Cannabis Use
Determined through self-report on the Timeline Followback (TLFB). Endpoints of interest will include percentage of days per week using cannabis, number of use sessions per day, 7-day point prevalence abstinence. Semi-quantitative analysis of cannabis use will be obtained through a THC Pre-Dosage Test (Narcocheck ®, Villejuif, France) to confirm.
Cannabis Craving
Changes in cannabis craving assessed through the Marijuana Craving Questionnaire (MCQ). Minimum score is 3 and maximum score is 84. Higher scores indicate greater cannabis craving (worse outcome).
Cannabis Withdrawal
Changes in cannabis withdrawal symptoms assessed through the Marijuana Withdrawal Checklist (MWC)
Prefrontal cortex and Insula Connectivity
Assessed by seed-based resting state connectivity on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Seeds are defined as the medial prefrontal cortex, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and the insula. Measurement will be of change in strength of connectivity between these seeds pre- to post-rTMS, and comparing between groups (high or low frequency stimulation).
Depression symptoms
Changes in depression symptoms assessed through the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD-17). Minimum score is 0, maximum score is 52, higher scores indicate greater depression (worse outcome)
Anxiety symptoms
Changes in anxiety symptoms assessed through the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale 7 (GAD-7). Minimum score is 0, maximum score is 21, higher scores indicate greater anxiety (worse outcome).
Trail Making Test
Changes on a neuropsychological assessment for attention, speed, and mental flexibility. Part A and Part B. Measurement: number of seconds required to complete the task. • Higher scores reveal greater impairment.
Digit Span
Changes on a neuropsychological assessment for working memory. Consists of 2 parts: Forwards and Backwards. Each item is scored 0, 1, or 2 points. (Depending on accuracy). • Lower scores reveal greater impairment. Minimum score 0. Maximum total score on Digit Span: 30 points
Hopkins Verbal Learning Test
Changes on a neuropsychological assessment for working memory. Consists of 3 parts: A (free recall), B (delayed recall), C (recognition). Less number of words remembered indicates worse outcome.
Continuous Performance Test
Changes on a neuropsychological assessment for sustained attention. Measurement & Scoring Categories: Correct Detection (number of times the client responded to the target stimulus. Higher rates of correct detections indicate better attentional capacity), reaction times (Amount of time between the presentation of the stimulus and the client's response), omission errors (Number of times the target was presented, but the client did not respond/click the mouse. High omission rates indicate distractibility to stimuli or a sluggish response), commission errors (Number of times the client responded but no target was presented. A fast reaction time and high commission error rate points to difficulties with impulsivity. A slow reaction time with high commission and omission errors, indicates inattention in general).

Full Information

First Posted
April 11, 2023
Last Updated
August 28, 2023
Sponsor
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Collaborators
Brain & Behavior Research Foundation
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1. Study Identification

Unique Protocol Identification Number
NCT05859347
Brief Title
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Cannabis Use Disorder
Official Title
Development of a Novel, Scalable, Neurobiologically-Guided Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Protocol for the Treatment of Cannabis Use Disorder
Study Type
Interventional

2. Study Status

Record Verification Date
August 2023
Overall Recruitment Status
Recruiting
Study Start Date
May 15, 2023 (Actual)
Primary Completion Date
May 15, 2025 (Anticipated)
Study Completion Date
June 15, 2025 (Anticipated)

3. Sponsor/Collaborators

Responsible Party, by Official Title
Sponsor
Name of the Sponsor
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Collaborators
Brain & Behavior Research Foundation

4. Oversight

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product
No
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product
No
Data Monitoring Committee
No

5. Study Description

Brief Summary
There has been a considerable rise in cannabis consumption in recent years, with estimates of 200 million individual users globally. Importantly, 3% of these individuals have cannabis use disorder (CUD), with this prevalence increasing to 33% amongst regular users, making it one of the most common substances use disorders (SUDs) worldwide. CUD is associated with substantial health, societal, and economic costs, and worsening of other psychiatric disorders. Despite this clinical burden, effective treatment options are limited. No pharmacological treatments have emerged as clearly efficacious, and psychotherapeutic interventions have shown tempered results. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive brain-based approach in which alternating magnetic fields are applied to the scalp to induce electrical currents in cortical tissue. As it can modulate neural circuits implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders, it is a promising brain-based approach in the treatment of addictions. Evidence has indicated its efficacy in reducing drug craving and consumption across numerous SUDs, although research into cannabis has been largely unexplored. Recently, a novel circular rTMS coil, the MagVenture MMC-140, has been developed with the capacity to modulate both the bilateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) and insula, both of which are implicated in the neurocircuitry of craving and executive function. As such, it shows potential for CUD treatment. This proof-of-concept clinical trial will evaluate the feasibility and tolerability of a 4-week course of rTMS to the PFC/insula using MMC-140 as a treatment for CUD. Feasibility of both high frequency (HF; excitatory) and low frequency (LF; inhibitory) stimulation parameters will be evaluated. In addition, pre/post rTMS changes in cannabis use outcomes (e.g., consumption, craving, and withdrawal), executive function, and PFC/insula functional connectivity will be explored. By comprehensively investigating clinical, cognitive, and neuroimaging effects of rTMS, this study could pave the way for the first brain-based intervention in CUD that could be widely adopted into clinical settings using a novel, cost-effective and accessible rTMS device.

6. Conditions and Keywords

Primary Disease or Condition Being Studied in the Trial, or the Focus of the Study
Cannabis Use Disorder
Keywords
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Cannabis, Substance Use Disorder, Prefrontal Cortex, Insula, Neuroimaging

7. Study Design

Primary Purpose
Treatment
Study Phase
Not Applicable
Interventional Study Model
Parallel Assignment
Model Description
Participants will be randomized to one of two groups to receive either high-frequency (10 Hz) or low-frequency (1 Hz) rTMS.
Masking
Outcomes Assessor
Allocation
Randomized
Enrollment
46 (Anticipated)

8. Arms, Groups, and Interventions

Arm Title
High-Frequency (HF)
Arm Type
Active Comparator
Arm Description
10 Hz rTMS
Arm Title
Low-Frequency (LF)
Arm Type
Active Comparator
Arm Description
1 Hz rTMS
Intervention Type
Device
Intervention Name(s)
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Other Intervention Name(s)
MagVenture MMC-140 Coil
Intervention Description
rTMS is a non-invasive neuromodulatory technique that applies alternating magnetic fields to the scalp to induce electric currents in localized cortical tissue. The intervention (LF or HF rTMS) will be administered daily 5 days/week for 4 weeks, using the MagVenture MMC-140 circular coil, with the brain regions targeted as the bilateral prefrontal cortex and the insula.
Primary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Feasibility of study completion as assessed by completion rates
Description
Feasibility is determined by completion of the study and all associated study assessments, without withdrawing or being withdrawn from the study. Withdrawal from the study can be dropping out for any reason, including intolerability, serious adverse events, or inability to adhere to study procedures.
Time Frame
The timeframe is through study completion, beginning from baseline to end of rTMS treatment week 4, an average of 8 weeks, the event determined by withdrawal from the study.
Title
Tolerability of Intervention as assessed by adverse event reporting
Description
This will be assessed through a side effect report at each treatment session. Safety monitoring will be implemented through the documentation and monitoring of adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs) using incidence tables by severity, relationship to treatment and baseline parameters.
Time Frame
The timeframe is through study completion, beginning from baseline to end of rTMS treatment week 4, an average of 8 weeks. The events being counts of adverse events or serious adverse events.
Secondary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Cannabis Use
Description
Determined through self-report on the Timeline Followback (TLFB). Endpoints of interest will include percentage of days per week using cannabis, number of use sessions per day, 7-day point prevalence abstinence. Semi-quantitative analysis of cannabis use will be obtained through a THC Pre-Dosage Test (Narcocheck ®, Villejuif, France) to confirm.
Time Frame
Baseline (pre-rTMS), Weekly (end of each week of rTMS), Follow-up (4-weeks post-rTMS), up to a total time frame of 8 weeks. Events are counted as self reported instances of cannabis use on the Timeline Followback.
Title
Cannabis Craving
Description
Changes in cannabis craving assessed through the Marijuana Craving Questionnaire (MCQ). Minimum score is 3 and maximum score is 84. Higher scores indicate greater cannabis craving (worse outcome).
Time Frame
Baseline (pre-rTMS), Weekly (end of each week of rTMS), an average of 8 weeks from baseline assessment to end of rTMS, Follow-up (4-weeks post-rTMS),
Title
Cannabis Withdrawal
Description
Changes in cannabis withdrawal symptoms assessed through the Marijuana Withdrawal Checklist (MWC)
Time Frame
Baseline (pre-rTMS), Weekly (end of each week of rTMS), an average of 8 weeks from baseline assessment to end of rTMS, Follow-up (4-weeks post-rTMS),
Title
Prefrontal cortex and Insula Connectivity
Description
Assessed by seed-based resting state connectivity on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Seeds are defined as the medial prefrontal cortex, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and the insula. Measurement will be of change in strength of connectivity between these seeds pre- to post-rTMS, and comparing between groups (high or low frequency stimulation).
Time Frame
Baseline (pre-rTMS), End of rTMS (end of treatment week 4 of rTMS)
Title
Depression symptoms
Description
Changes in depression symptoms assessed through the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD-17). Minimum score is 0, maximum score is 52, higher scores indicate greater depression (worse outcome)
Time Frame
Baseline (pre-rTMS), Weekly (end of each week of rTMS), an average of 8 weeks from baseline assessment to end of rTMS, follow-up (4-weeks post-rTMS),
Title
Anxiety symptoms
Description
Changes in anxiety symptoms assessed through the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale 7 (GAD-7). Minimum score is 0, maximum score is 21, higher scores indicate greater anxiety (worse outcome).
Time Frame
Baseline (pre-rTMS), Weekly (end of each week of rTMS), an average of 8 weeks from baseline assessment to end of rTMS, follow-up (4-weeks post-rTMS),
Title
Trail Making Test
Description
Changes on a neuropsychological assessment for attention, speed, and mental flexibility. Part A and Part B. Measurement: number of seconds required to complete the task. • Higher scores reveal greater impairment.
Time Frame
Baseline (pre-rTMS), End of rTMS (end of treatment week 4 of rTMS), an average of 8 weeks from baseline assessment to end of rTMS, follow-up (4-weeks post-rTMS)
Title
Digit Span
Description
Changes on a neuropsychological assessment for working memory. Consists of 2 parts: Forwards and Backwards. Each item is scored 0, 1, or 2 points. (Depending on accuracy). • Lower scores reveal greater impairment. Minimum score 0. Maximum total score on Digit Span: 30 points
Time Frame
Baseline (pre-rTMS), End of rTMS (end of treatment week 4 of rTMS), an average of 8 weeks from baseline assessment to end of rTMS, follow-up (4-weeks post-rTMS)
Title
Hopkins Verbal Learning Test
Description
Changes on a neuropsychological assessment for working memory. Consists of 3 parts: A (free recall), B (delayed recall), C (recognition). Less number of words remembered indicates worse outcome.
Time Frame
Baseline (pre-rTMS), End of rTMS (end of treatment week 4 of rTMS), an average of 8 weeks from baseline assessment to end of rTMS, follow-up (4-weeks post-rTMS)
Title
Continuous Performance Test
Description
Changes on a neuropsychological assessment for sustained attention. Measurement & Scoring Categories: Correct Detection (number of times the client responded to the target stimulus. Higher rates of correct detections indicate better attentional capacity), reaction times (Amount of time between the presentation of the stimulus and the client's response), omission errors (Number of times the target was presented, but the client did not respond/click the mouse. High omission rates indicate distractibility to stimuli or a sluggish response), commission errors (Number of times the client responded but no target was presented. A fast reaction time and high commission error rate points to difficulties with impulsivity. A slow reaction time with high commission and omission errors, indicates inattention in general).
Time Frame
Baseline (pre-rTMS), End of rTMS (end of treatment week 4 of rTMS), an average of 8 weeks from baseline assessment to end of rTMS, follow-up (4-weeks post-rTMS)

10. Eligibility

Sex
All
Minimum Age & Unit of Time
18 Years
Maximum Age & Unit of Time
65 Years
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Must be deemed to have capacity to provide informed consent Age between 18 to 65 Diagnosis of cannabis use disorder according to the DSM-5 and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID for DSM-541) Report cannabis as the primary drug of concern, a frequent pattern of use (≥5 days per week), and a goal of reduction or abstinence of cannabis use CUDIT-R score ≥12 Marijuana Contemplation Ladder ≥7 Cannabis positive urine drug screen, with Narcochek baseline THC-COOH level of >150 ng/ml. On a stable regimen of their psychotropic medications for 14 days before enrolment. Exclusion Criteria: Pregnant or intending to be pregnant during the study Diagnosis of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia spectrum disorder, or other active concurrent psychiatric disorder that is too unstable and may preclude safe participation in the trial as deemed by the PI. Substance use disorder other than cannabis or nicotine, that is of moderate severity or greater, or is the primary substance of concern based on the SCID for DSM-5 Known active seizure disorder, significant head injury with an imaging verified lesion Unstable medical illness Presence of cardiac pacemaker, intracranial implant, or metal in the cranium Participants taking > 2 mg lorazepam (or a benzodiazepine at an equivalent dose) or taking any anticonvulsant medication during treatment.
Central Contact Person:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name or Official Title & Degree
Victor Tang, MD
Phone
(416) 535-8501
Email
victor.tang@camh.ca
Facility Information:
Facility Name
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
City
Toronto
State/Province
Ontario
ZIP/Postal Code
M6J 1H4
Country
Canada
Individual Site Status
Recruiting
Facility Contact:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Victor Tang, MD
Phone
416-535-8501
Email
victor.tang@camh.ca

12. IPD Sharing Statement

Learn more about this trial

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Cannabis Use Disorder

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