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Precision Brain Stimulation to Reduce Cannabis Craving in Schizophrenia
Sponsor: Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Summary
The central hypothesis is this: Brain circuits most relevant to cannabis use in schizophrenia are distinct from pathways identified in healthy controls who use cannabis. This study seeks to provide evidence that targeted stimulation of the DMN leads to both altered network activity and a concomitant behavioral change in cue-induced craving and cognitive performance in individuals with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, while targeted stimulation of the L DLPFC leads to these changes in healthy controls who use cannabis. This study will test a model that integrates brain network pathophysiology and cognition to 1) explain the prevalence of cannabis use in schizophrenia and 2) identify a target for engagement in schizophrenia. This study seeks to establish a neuroscientific framework to guide future treatment-oriented studies aimed at reducing craving and improving cognitive performance in individuals with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. This is a study of the effect of 2 rTMS interventions on functional connectivity and craving in individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and healthy controls who use cannabis. Aim 1: Target Engagement: Determine if rTMS manipulates functional connectivity of each target (DMN, L DLPFC) (n=100). Aim 2: Clinical Efficacy: Determine if rTMS affects cue-induced craving and if craving change correlates with change in functional connectivity (n=100). As an exploratory analysis, the factors that explain individual variance in rTMS-induced connectivity change will also be explored.
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 65 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
100
Start Date
2026-01-15
Completion Date
2027-12-31
Last Updated
2026-02-24
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Conditions
Interventions
3 Minute iTBS to the L DLPFC
Five daily sessions of TMS (iTBS) to the L DLPFC target.
One-Minute, Personalized, DMN Targeted CTBS
Personalized, DMN Targeted CTBS to the DMN for one minute, five daily sessions.
Locations (1)
Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital
Nashville, Tennessee, United States