Magnetic pulses to the brain may curb etomidate cravings
NCT ID NCT07736742
First seen Jul 30, 2026 · Last updated Jul 31, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial tests whether high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can reduce cravings, drug use, and withdrawal symptoms in adults addicted to etomidate. Forty participants will receive either active rTMS or a sham (fake) treatment over 20 sessions in 4 weeks. Researchers will track changes in drug use, cravings, mood, and decision-making for up to 6 months to see if the brain stimulation offers a lasting benefit.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) delivered to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a non-drug treatment for etomidate addiction, helping people reduce cravings and drug use.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small early trial with only 40 participants, so results may not apply widely. The sham procedure may also produce some effects, making it harder to see a clear benefit.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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 40 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Sep 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Mar 2029
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 45 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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: * Able to read and communicate in English and/or Chinese * Able to give informed consent and/or able to provide an informed consent from the legal guardian (if applicable) * Using etomidate and/or its related analogues as the primary psychoactive substance of abuse * Suffering from etomidate addiction as defined by: 1. Etomidate Use Disorder classified under "Sedative-, Hypnotic-, or Anxiolytic Use Disorder" according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) with severity ≥ 1, or 2. Harmful Use or Dependence for etomidate classified under "Mental and behavioral disorders due to use of sedatives or hypnotics" according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision (ICD-10), or 3. Hazardous use, harmful use or dependence classified under "Hazardous use of sedatives, hypnotics or anxiolytics" or "Disorders due to use of sedatives, hypnotics or anxiolytics" according to the Clinical descriptions and diagnostic requirements for International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision (ICD-11) mental, behavioral, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Exclusion Criteria: * Age \< 18 years old * Unable to read English or Chinese * Unable to give informed consent * Had been diagnosed with the following disorders including: 1\. Neurodevelopmental Disorders: * DSM-5: Intellectual Disabilities, Communication Disorders, Specific Learning Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder and Motor Disorders * International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 11th Revision (ICD-11): Disorders of intellectual development (6A00), Developmental speech or language disorders (6A01), Autism spectrum disorder (6A02), Developmental learning disorder (6A03), Developmental motor coordination disorder (6A04), Stereotyped movement disorder (6A06), Primary tics or tic disorders (8A05.0) * Other DSM-5 defined Substance Use Disorder greater than moderate in severity (i.e., severity score ≥4) * Neurocognitive Disorders (DSM-5, or ICD-11 6D70-72 \& 6D80-86) 2. Contra-indicated to undergo rTMS: * with electronic and/or magnetic implants (e.g., pacemaker, implantable cardioverter defibrillator \[ICD\], cerebral shunts, cochlear implant, etc.) * with metallic or mechanic fragments (e.g., screws, plates, stents, clips, etc.) * pregnant * with any known or history of neurological conditions including cerebral vascular accidents (CVA), epilepsy, brain tumor or space occupying lesion, etc. * poorly controlled or unstable diabetes mellitus * receiving unstable dose(s) of antipsychotics, antidepressants, benzodiazepines and/or anticonvulsants in the past 3 months
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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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Queen Mary Hospital
Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 000000, Hong Kong
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