Can magnetic pulses curb alcohol cravings in veterans?

NCT ID NCT03995173

Ongoing Symptom relief Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This pilot study tests whether repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can reduce alcohol cravings in veterans who also have mild traumatic brain injury or PTSD. Twenty veterans will receive either real or placebo rTMS over 10 sessions in two weeks. The goal is to see if this brain stimulation technique can help manage cravings and improve symptoms.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a non-drug treatment to help veterans with alcohol cravings after brain injury or PTSD.
What could go wrong: This is a very small pilot study with only 20 participants, so results may not apply widely. It is also early-stage, and the placebo group helps check if the effect is real.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

alcohol abuse Brain Concussion post-traumatic stress disorder traumatic brain injury

As listed by the trial registrant

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

ALCOHOL USE DISORDER MILD TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

Contacts and locations

Locations

Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL

Hines, Illinois, 60141-3030, United States

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