Mitigating the Disinhibiting Effects of Alcohol With Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Michael J. Wesley, PhD
Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn how a specific type of brain stimulation affects alcohol-related decision-making and self-control in adults who drink alcohol. The main questions the study aims to answer are: * Does brain stimulation change how people behave after drinking alcohol? * Does the combination of alcohol and different types of brain stimulation affect people's ability to make thoughtful decisions or resist impulses? Researchers will compare the effects of two types of brain stimulation, intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) and continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS), after people drink alcohol or a placebo drink. A sham (placebo) stimulation condition will also be included. The study uses a within-person design, which means each participant will take part in all conditions. Participants will: * Attend five separate study visits * Drink either an alcoholic or placebo beverage * Receive one of the brain stimulation conditions (real or sham) * Complete decision-making tasks before and after drinking The tasks will measure things like impulsive choices and reaction time. The researchers hope this study will help identify how brain stimulation could be used to improve decision-making during intoxication, which might one day reduce harmful drinking behaviors or prevent alcohol-related accidents.
Description
This study aims to understand how brain stimulation affects decision-making and behavioral control after alcohol consumption. Many harmful events related to alcohol use are the result of impaired decision-making while intoxicated. Although there are medications that reduce alcohol cravings, there are few tools available to reduce the negative behavioral effects of alcohol once someone has already consumed it. This clinical trial uses non-invasive brain stimulation, known as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), to target a brain area called the prefrontal cortex, which helps regulate decis…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 21–29 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 21-29 * Must be competent in English * BMI between 19 and 26 * At least a high school education * Moderate alcohol users (e.g., at least occasional alcohol use, without meeting criteria for alcohol use disorder) * Negative urine drug screen for illicit drugs * Negative urine pregnancy test (if applicable) on testing days Exclusion Criteria: * History of seizures or a first-degree relative with seizure history * History of head trauma or other CNS injuries * Current or past psychiatric disorders (including substance use disorder, except nicotine or caffeine) * Contr…
Interventions
- DeviceIntermittent Theta Burst Stimulation
Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS) is then delivered to the left DLPFC using a MagVenture TMS device. Each iTBS session includes 600 pulses delivered in 3-pulse bursts at 50 Hz, every 200 ms (5 Hz), in 2 sec on / 8 sec off cycles at 110% resting motor threshold (RMT). Stimulation is ramp-up from 80% to 110% RMT (\~90 pulses). Two iTBS sessions are given per visit, separated by 30 minutes. The second session is timed to correspond to the peak BAC.
- DeviceContinuous Theta Burst Stimulation
Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation (cTBS) is then delivered to the left DLPFC using a MagVenture TMS device. Each cTBS session includes 2 bouts of 1800 pulses separated by a 1 minute rest period. Each bout is delivered in 3-pulse bursts at 50 Hz, every 200 ms (5 Hz), continuously for \~120 seconds at 110% resting motor threshold (RMT). Stimulation is ramped up from 80% to 110% RMT over the first 30 seconds. Two cTBS sessions are given per visit, separated by 30 minutes. The second session is timed to correspond to the peak BAC.
- DeviceSham Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Sham Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is delivered to the left DLPFC using the sham side of a MagVenture TMS coil, paired with synchronized scalp electrodes to mimic the sensation of real TMS. The sham procedure matches the timing and auditory cues of either iTBS or cTBS protocols, depending on random assignment. Two sham stimulation sessions are given per visit, separated by 30 minutes. The second session is timed to correspond to the peak BAC.
Location
- University of KentuckyLexington, Kentucky