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Recruiting NCT04871048

Examining tDCS Effect on Cannabis Use Disorder in Patients With Schizophrenia

No phase Interventional Schizophrenia Cannabis-Induced Disorder

For patients and families

In plain language

An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.

What is being studied
The protocol lists: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) active, Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) non active.
Who it may be relevant to
Registry conditions: Schizophrenia, Cannabis-Induced Disorder. Basic parameters: 18 years — 60 years · All.
What needs checking
Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
Where it takes place
France
Next step
Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
Official title

Examining tDCS Effect on Cannabis Use Disorder in Patients With Schizophrenia A Randomized Controlled Double-blind Exploratory Multicentric Study

Overview

Cannabis use disorder is a frequent comorbidity of schizophrenia, associated with increased symptoms and less adherence to therapy. Validated care has limited effectiveness in this population and development of new management strategies seems necessary. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has shown beneficial effects in both schizophrenia, substance use disorder and, in a less extent, in nicotine addiction in schizophrenic subjects. It is interesting to test if that 10 sessions of anodal stimulation of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and cathodal stimulation of the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) (by increasing control and modulating reward system), will reduce, in 110 schizophrenic subjects, cannabis consumption, and secondly craving, addiction severity, schizophrenic symptoms and improve global functioning. It is possible that these clinical effects will be associated with changes in certain cognitive functions and cerebral connectivity.

Detailed description

Stimulation will be performed using a Neurocan DC-Stimulator Plus with two 7×5 cm sponge electrodes soaked in a saline solution. Electrodes will be placed in accordance with the international 10-20 electrode placement system: the anode over F4 (right DLPFC), the cathode over Fp1 (MPFC). The stimulation level will be set at 2 mA for 20 minutes during stimulation sessions twice a day (separated by at least 3 hours) for 5 consecutive weekdays.

The control group will receive the sham stimulation following the same regimen, using the sham procedure which has been developed by the manufacturer of the tDCS material, allowing sensations to be felt in the scalp which are the equivalent to those of the active stimulation. The same device will be used for both the sham and the active procedures.

Interventions

  • Device Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) active
    Stimulation will be performed using a Neurocan DC-Stimulator Plus with two 7×5 cm sponge electrodes soaked in a saline solution. Electrodes will be placed in accordance with the international 10-20 electrode placement system: the anode over F4 (right DLPFC), the cathode over Fp1 (MPFC). The stimulation level will be set at 2 mA for 20 minutes during stimulation sessions twice a day (separated by at least 3 hours) for 5 consecutive weekdays.
  • Device Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) non active
    The control group will receive the sham stimulation following the same regimen, using the sham procedure which has been developed by the manufacturer of the tDCS material, allowing sensations to be felt in the scalp which are the equivalent to those of the active stimulation. The same device will be used for both the sham and the active procedures.

Primary outcome measures

  • cannabis use [Time frame: 6 months]
Secondary outcome measures (5)
  • cannabis use [Time frame: 3 months]
  • Change in craving scores [Time frame: 3 months and 6 months]
  • Hospitalizations [Time frame: 6 months]
  • Study of structural cerebral connectivity [Time frame: 3 months]
  • Study of structural and functional cerebral connectivity [Time frame: 3 months]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

  • Schizophrenia diagnostic according to DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorder) 5 criteria, without change in psychotropic treatment since at least 4 weeks
  • Moderate to severe cannabis use disorder according to DSM 5 criteria and active consumption during the last 7 days
  • Subjects motivated to reduce or quit their cannabis consumption
  • Patients with ambulatory compulsory care may be included

Exclusion criteria

  • Other substance use disorder, excluding nicotine, according to DSM 5 criteria
  • Other current psychiatric disorder according to DSM 5 criteria, excluding personality disorder
  • Inpatient hospitalization
  • History of head injury, neurological disorder with cerebral consequence or severe unstable somatic disorder
  • Pregnancy or no contraception
  • Contraindications for tDCS and/or MRI (implanted material, uncontrolled epilepsy, intracranial hypertension)

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: No

Study design

Allocation
Randomized
Model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Double blind
Primary purpose
Treatment

Study locations

France · 8 centers
  • CH Le Vinatier Service universitaire d'addictologie de Lyon — Bron
  • Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Service d'Addictologie et Pathologies Duelles — Clermont-Ferrand
  • CHU de Clermont-Ferrand Service de Psychiatrie — Clermont-Ferrand
  • Service Hospitalo-Universitaire d'Addictologie CHU de Dijon — Dijon
  • CHU Pôle de Psychiatrie Neurologie et Rééducation — La Tronche
  • CH Saint-Cyr-au-Mont-d'Or service de psychiatrie — Saint-Cyr-au-Mont-d'Or
  • Centre Hospitalier Alpes Isère — Saint-Égrève
  • CHU de Saint-Etienne — Saint-Priest-en-Jarez

Identifiers

NCT: NCT04871048 · 19PH229 · 2020-A02976-33

Primary sources (government registries)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗