Can ketamine and brain scans help curb alcohol cravings?

NCT ID NCT06969937

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: Dr. med. Marcus Herdener Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether a single dose of ketamine, combined with real-time brain training (neurofeedback), can help people with alcohol use disorder drink less. 75 participants will receive either ketamine or placebo, plus real or fake neurofeedback. The goal is to see if the combination reduces heavy drinking days and changes brain chemistry related to cravings.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Ketamine
What this could lead to: If successful, this could point toward a new treatment that helps people with alcohol use disorder reduce their drinking by targeting brain chemistry and cravings.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early Phase 2 trial with only 75 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Ketamine can cause side effects like dissociation or nausea, and the neurofeedback training requires multiple MRI sessions.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

alcohol abuse alcohol dependence

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ALCOHOL ABUSE/DEPENDENCE ALCOHOL USE DISORDER (AUD) ALCOHOLISM

Contacts and locations

Locations

Psychiatric University Zurich, University of Zurich
RECRUITING

Zurich, 8032, Switzerland

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