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Recruiting NCT05766254

NCT05766254 Identify the Optimal TMS Target to Modulate Reward Activity

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Clinical Trial Summary
NCT ID NCT05766254
Status Recruiting
Phase
Sponsor Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Condition Nicotine Use Disorder
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment 36 participants
Start Date 2023-03-24
Primary Completion 2026-09

Eligibility & Interventions

Sex All sexes
Min Age 18 Years
Max Age 55 Years
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Interventions
Active 10-Hz TMS to the DLPFCSham TMS-DLPFC

Eligibility Fast-Check

Enter your details for a quick preliminary check. This does not replace medical advice.

What to Expect as a Participant

You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.

This trial targets 36 participants in total. It began in 2023-03-24 with a primary completion date of 2026-09.

⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.

Brief Summary

Our primary goal will be to identify the optimal prefrontal-cingulate target by systematically measuring the efficacy of various image-based targeting techniques to increase the reward positivity using the 10-Hz TMS protocol in dependent smokers. Our secondary objective will be to measure the targets' effectiveness to increase decision-making capacity using the probabilistic selection task (PST). Our third objective will be to specifically assess whether the TMS targets has a differential impact on state levels of craving relative to baseline (Tobacco Craving Questionnaire \[TCQ\]. We plan to accomplish these three objectives using a randomized, controlled experiment involving 3 sessions.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Nicotine dependent individuals (according to the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test nicotine dependence score). 2. Be between the ages of 18 and 55 years old. 3. Not received substance abuse treatment within the previous 30 days. 4. Be in stable mental and physical health. 5. If female, test non-pregnant. 6. No evidence of focal or diffuse brain lesion on MRI. 7. Be willing to provide informed consent. 8. Be able to comply with protocol requirements and likely to complete all study procedures. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Contraindication to MRI (e.g., presence of metal in the skull, orbits or intracranial cavity, claustrophobia). 2. Contraindication to rTMS (history of neurological disorder or seizure, increased intracranial pressure, brain surgery, or head trauma with loss of consciousness for \> 15 minutes, implanted electronic device, metal in the head, or pregnancy). 3. History of autoimmune, endocrine, viral, or vascular disorder affecting the brain. 4. History or MRI evidence of neurological disorder that would lead to local or diffuse brain lesions or significant physical impairment. 5. Life time history of mental disorders such as: Bipolar Affective disorder (BPAD), Schizophrenia, Post-traumatic Stress disorder (PTSD) or Dementia or Major Depression. 6. uninterruptable central nervous system medication

Contact & Investigator

Central Contact

Travis E Baker, PhD

✉ travis.e.baker@rutgers.edu

📞 973-353-5485

Principal Investigator

Travis E Lalta, PhD

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Rutgers University

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can join the NCT05766254 clinical trial?

This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, up to 55 Years, studying Nicotine Use Disorder. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.

Is NCT05766254 currently recruiting?

Yes, NCT05766254 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at travis.e.baker@rutgers.edu for enrollment information.

Where is the NCT05766254 trial being conducted?

This trial is being conducted at Newark, United States.

Who is sponsoring the NCT05766254 clinical trial?

NCT05766254 is sponsored by Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. The principal investigator is Travis E Lalta, PhD at Rutgers University. The trial plans to enroll 36 participants.

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ClinicalMetric — Independent clinical trial intelligence platform. Not affiliated with NIH, ClinicalTrials.gov, the U.S. FDA, or any pharmaceutical company, hospital, or clinical research organization. Trial data is sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Do not make any treatment, enrollment, or health decisions based solely on information found here — always consult a qualified healthcare professional. Full Disclaimer  ·  Last Reviewed: September 2026  ·  Data Methodology