Phase 1 Open-Label Pilot Trial of Deep Repetitive Transcranial Stimulation of the Lateral Prefrontal Cortex and Insula for Adults with Moderate-to-Severe Cannabis Use Disorder
There is a credible basis for lateral prefrontal cortex and insula deep repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (dTMS) stimulation as a treatment for cannabis use disorder (CUD), but no studies to date have examined this. Evidence of benefit could expand the treatment options available for CUD but require randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate its efficacy. Toward an RCT of this intervention, the proposed study is a phase 1 open-label pilot trial of dTMS for adults with CUD. This study will establish the viability of an H4 protocol constituting an active arm of a future double-blind RCT.
• Adult, age 25-65
• DSM-5 CUD, moderate or higher (4+ DSM-5 symptoms)
• 4 or more days of cannabis use per week
• Reports inhalation as one route of administration
• Treatment-seeking (i.e., self-reported readiness to change of 5 or greater on a 0-10 readiness ruler)
• Stable domicile and reliable transportation, and willingness to attend in-person visits at SJHH Hamilton.