Could zapping the brain help older adults drink less and think sharper?

NCT ID NCT05896332

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Medical University of South Carolina Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This early-phase study tests whether a type of brain stimulation called rTMS can help older adults (ages 60-85) who have both alcohol use disorder and mild cognitive impairment. Participants receive 50 sessions of stimulation over one week. Researchers will measure changes in thinking skills, drinking behavior, and brain connectivity. The goal is to see if this approach can safely address both problems at once.

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 that helps older adults drink less and think more clearly.
What could go wrong: This is a very early, small phase 1 trial with only 35 people, so results may not apply widely. The treatment is intensive (50 sessions in one week) and may cause discomfort or side effects like headache or scalp pain.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

alcohol abuse Cognitive Dysfunction

As listed by the trial registrant

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

ALCOHOL USE DISORDER MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT TRANSCRANIAL MAGNETIC STIMULATION

Contacts and locations

Locations

Medical Univeristy of South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina, 29425, United States
Medical University of South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina, 29425, United States

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