Can zapping the brain curb alcohol cravings? new trial aims to find out
NCT ID NCT07442786
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether repeated sessions of a gentle brain stimulation technique called tDCS can help people with alcohol use disorder drink less. Over 12 weeks, 312 participants will receive either real or sham tDCS in 5-day clusters each month. The goal is to see if this approach reduces the number of heavy drinking days.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a non-drug option to help people with alcohol use disorder reduce heavy drinking without requiring abstinence.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-stage trial testing a new schedule of tDCS. Previous similar studies showed only modest effects, so the improvement may be small or not clinically meaningful.
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 312 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Apr 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Oct 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 years and older
- 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: * Age ≥ 18 years old * Meeting at least two criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder (DSM-5) as determined by the structured clinical interview for DSM * Having an average alcohol consumption at least at medium risk level (WHO criteria) * Willing to reduce their alcohol consumption * Not protected by law * Covered by national health insurance * Able to complete the TLFB * Able to give a written informed consent * Accepting to sign the "safety" agreement Exclusion Criteria: * Meeting DMS-5 criteria for current substance use disorder with substance other than nicotine and caffeine * Breath-alcohol test \> 0 mg/L at Visit 1 (informed consent signature). In this case the inclusion day will be scheduled later during the following weeks) * Withdrawal Assessment (CIWA) score ≥ 10 at randomization, history of Delirium tremens or preDelirium tremens * Concomitant treatment with disulfiram, acamprosate, topiramate, baclofene, naltrexone, and nalmefene * Acute psychiatric/somatic disorders and severe chronic psychiatric/somatic disorders * Recent change in psychotropic medication (\< 1 month) * Patients having already experienced tDCS treatment * Patients with a history of seizures; * Patients with unexplained episodes of loss of consciousness, since such condition could be related with brain alterations or epilepsy; * Patients with unstable or non-controlled neuropsychiatric illness; * Patients having implanted brain medical devices; * Patients with implanted pacemakers; * Patients having any electrically, magnetically or mechanically activated implant; * Patients having cardiac, neural or medication implants; * Patients having vascular clips or any other electrically sensitive support system in the brain; * Patients with serious brain injury; * Patients showing damage of skin at sites of stimulation (the device can only be used in healthy skin without wounds, otherwise the resistance to current can be altered); * Patients suffering from skin problems, such as dermatitis, psoriasis or eczema; * Patients suffering from severe or frequent headaches; * Patients with any serious life-threatening disease * Pregnancy/lactation, positive pregnancy test at randomization * Concurrent participation in other trial
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Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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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CHU Dijon Bourgogne
Dijon, 21000, France