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Neuroimaging Correlates and Feasibility of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) to Improve Smoking Cessation Outcomes in Veterans With Comorbid PTSD
Who can join
Ages 18 to 75 · All sexes
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Is a US Veteran * Meets DSM-5 criteria for tobacco use disorder * Is between the ages of 18 and 75 * Smokes an average of 10 cigarettes per day for the past 6 months, with carbon monoxide (CO) level \> 6 ppm * Is willing to attempt smoking cessation * Meets DSM-5 criteria for current PTSD diagnosis * Speaks, reads and writes English * Is willing to sign a Duke consent for those portions of the study that occur at Duke * Has been stable on psychotropic medications for at least three months Exclusion Criteria: * Has had a substance use disorder other than tobacco in the preceding 3 months * Has a history of myocardial infarction in the past 6 months or has another contraindication to NRT * Has a contraindication to TMS or MRI * Personal or family history of a seizures or epilepsy * History of neurological condition that increases the risk of seizures including stroke or transient ischemic attack, cerebral aneurysm, or severe traumatic brain injury from a penetrating head injury, loss of consciousness \> 20 minutes at time of traumatic injury, requiring an anticonvulsant medication for seizures, and/or found to have encephalomalacia on baseline MRI * Structural brain lesion, or prior brain surgery * Ferromagnetic metal in head (including shrapnel) * Implanted devices that may be affected by MRI or TMS (pacemaker, medication pump, cochlear implant, implanted deep brain stimulator) * Is pregnant (to be determined at Duke) * Is unable to complete study procedures * Is currently prescribed bupropion and/or varenicline * Uses other forms of nicotine such as cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, or vaping * Is unable to provide informed consent due to a major neurocognitive disorder or other reason * Meets criteria for a primary psychotic disorder or current manic episode * Is currently imprisoned or psychiatrically hospitalized * Has previously received rTMS
About the study
Tobacco use is the number one preventable cause of the death in the United States, and is high among US Veterans, and those who have experienced trauma are more likely to smoke. Despite the efficacy of current evidence-based treatments for smoking cessation, there is a critical need for alternative treatments. This project seeks to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a smoking cessation treatment for Veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who smoke. The treatment combines smoking cessation counseling, nicotine replacement therapy (e.g., nicotine gum), and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). rTMS is a noninvasive brain stimulation treatment that has been cleared by the Food and Drug Administration for smoking cessation in adults.
What is being tested
- active repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (device)
- sham repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (device)
- cognitive behavioral therapy for smoking cessation (behavioral)
- nicotine replacement therapy (drug)
Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development · Participants: 50 · Started: Oct 31, 2023
Contact the study team
- Jonathan R Young, MD · Phone: (919) 286-0411
- Angela C Kirby, MS · Phone: (919) 286-0411
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT05723588
Locations in the U.S.
| North Carolina | Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC, Durham |
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Oct 1, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.