Zapping the brain to curb weed cravings in schizophrenia
NCT ID NCT07196462
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study explores whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called rTMS can reduce cannabis cravings in people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Researchers will compare brain activity changes in 100 participants, including healthy cannabis users. The goal is to identify which brain circuits are involved and whether targeting them can lower cravings and improve thinking.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 100 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jan 2026
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 65 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria for Psychosis Participants: * Age between 18-65 years * Diagnosis of a psychotic disorder according to DSM-5 criteria and confirmed by SCID * Current cannabis use of at least 2/10 on a Visual Analog Scale * Current cannabis use (confirmed by urine cannabis testing) * Must be able to read, speak and understand English * Must be judged by study staff to be capable of completing the study procedures * Participants will be in stable outpatient psychiatric treatment and psychiatrically stable with no recent (within the past 30 days) psychiatric hospitalizations or changes in their psychiatric medication regimens. Inclusion Criteria for Healthy Controls: \- All of the above except for participants will not have a diagnosis of a psychotic disorder nor a first-degree relative with a psychotic disorder. Exclusion Criteria for ALL participants: * DSM-5 intellectual disability * Substance use disorder (other than cannabis or nicotine) within the past three months * Positive urine drug screen for illicit substance use that can increase seizure risk (cocaine, benzodiazepines, amphetamine, methamphetamine) * Any history of a progressive or genetic neurologic disorder (e.g. Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, tuberous sclerosis, Alzheimer's Disease) or acquired neurological disease (e.g. stroke, traumatic brain injury, tumor), including intracranial lesions * History of head trauma resulting in any loss of consciousness (\>15 minutes) or neurological sequelae * Current history of poorly controlled headaches including chronic medication for migraine prevention * History of fainting spells of unknown or undetermined etiology that might constitute seizures * History of seizures, diagnosis of epilepsy, or immediate (1st degree relative) family history epilepsy with the exception of a single seizure of benign etiology (e.g. febrile seizures) in the judgment of a board-certified neurologist * Chronic (particularly) uncontrolled medical conditions that may cause a medical emergency in case of a provoked seizure (cardiac malformation, cardiac dysrhythmia, asthma, etc.) * Any metal in the brain or skull (excluding dental fillings) or elsewhere in the body unless cleared by the responsible covering MD (e.g. MRI compatible joint replacement) * Any devices such as pacemaker, medication pump, nerve stimulator, TENS unit, ventriculo-peritoneal shunt unless cleared by the responsible covering MD * All female participants of child-bearing age will be required to have a pregnancy test; any participant who is pregnant or planning to become pregnant will not be enrolled in the study * Medications will be reviewed by the responsible covering physician and a decision about inclusion will be made based on the participant's past medical history, drug dose, history of recent medication changes or duration of treatment, and use of CNS active drugs. The published TMS guidelines review of medications to be considered with rTMS will be taken into consideration given their described effects on cortical excitability measures. * Any changes in medications or hospitalizations within the past 30 days. * Participants who, in the investigator's opinion, might not be suitable for the study or would be unable to tolerate the study visit These exclusion criteria strictly follow all recommended guidelines as endorsed by the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology and the International Society for Transcranial Stimulation.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital
RECRUITINGNashville, Tennessee, 37212, United States
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