rTMS-concurrent Behavioral Priming for Reducing Smoking Cravings (NCT06228235)
Optimizing the rTMS-concurrent Behavioral Priming for Reducing Smoking Cravings
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
The objective of this pilot clinical trial is to test the effects of different types of thinking strategies at the time of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS), applied to the left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC), on smoking craving and brain activity. Participants will be individuals with moderate to high smoking dependence (smoking at least 8 cigarettes a day) who have no intention of quitting in the next 3 months and are eligible to have rTMS and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The main objectives of the trial are: 1. To compare the craving-reducing effects of "upregulation" and "downregulation" of craving while looking at pictures related to cigarette smoking during rTMS versus no regulation of craving while looking at neutral pictures unrelated to smoking. 'Upregulation" is thinking about the immediate positive experience of smoking. "Downregulation" is thinking about the long-term negative consequences of smoking. 2. To examine changes in brain activity that accompany craving reductions produced by rTMS paired with upregulation and downregulation of craving while looking at pictures related to cigarette smoking versus no regulation of craving while looking at neutral pictures unrelated to smoking. Following screening for eligibility, participants will be trained on how to do upregulation and downregulation of craving. The participants will then participate in 3 testing sessions. In each session, the participants will receive rTMS at 20Hz in 50 trains (2000 pulses total), followed immediately by fMRI. Sessions will take place 1-2 weeks apart and will differ in the type of thinking strategy participants will use while looking at pictures during the rTMS: * upregulation of craving while viewing smoking-related images * downregulation of craving while viewing smoking-related images * no regulation of craving while viewing neutral smoking-unrelated images The order of sessions will be randomized across participants.
Who can join: Review the eligibility criteria below.
Location: West Virginia University — Morgantown, West Virginia
Age range: 18 Years to 60 Years
🧪 Interventions in This Study
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistFull eligibility criteria are available on the official NIH protocol. View the criteria ↗
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)
- West Virginia University — Morgantown, West Virginia
📞 Contact the Study Coordinator
Phone: (240) 367-3068
Email: mariya.cherkasova@mail.wvu.edu
Coordinator details come directly from the registered NIH protocol. Confirm the study is still recruiting before traveling.
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.
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💡 How to Participate
- Check the checklist above to see if you may qualify.
- Contact the study coordinator using the phone/email above.
- Ask about the visit schedule, what is covered at no cost, and any travel support.
- Confirm with your own doctor before making a decision.