NCT05896332 · Phase 1 · ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING
rTMS in Older Adults With MCI and AUD
This trial is testing whether repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) — a non-invasive brain stimulation device — can simultaneously reduce heavy drinking and improve cognitive function in older adults who have both alcohol use disorder and mild cognitive impairment. It is a Phase 1 trial, meaning the focus right now is on safety and figuring out the right approach, not yet proving it works.
You may qualify if
- Age 60-85.
- English as a first/primary language.
- Current alcohol use disorder
- Alcohol consumption of at least 4 heavy drinking days (defined as ≥ 4 drinks for women and ≥ 5 for men) per week during the 30-days prior to enrolling;
- Meets actuarial neuropsychological criteria for MCI: ≥2 impaired scores within one cognitive domain, or ≥1 impaired scores in ≥3 domains, where an impaired score is defined as ≤16th percentile using demographically-corrected norms.
- Not pregnant (will administer pregnancy test to confirm)
- Functional visual and auditory acuity to complete all assessments.
You're excluded if
- Prior diagnosis of Dementia or Major Neurocognitive Disorder per NIA-AA or DSM-5 criteria, and TICS ≤ 22 suggestive of dementia.
- Current substance use disorder other than AUD or nicotine use disorder, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic disorder.
- Daily/weekly anticholinergic or sedative use. Stimulants may be allowed pending investigator review. Cholinesterase inhibitors, NMDA receptor antagonists, and antidepressants are allowed if on a stable regimen of 4 weeks prior to enrollment.
- History of significant or unstable condition/s that may impact cognition such as significant cardiac, cerebrovascular, or metabolic disease, developmental disorder, or other neurologic disease (e.g. movement disorder, moderate to severe brain injury, seizures).
- MRI and TMS contraindications (e.g. implants, claustrophobia, conditions/treatments that lower seizure threshold, taking medications that have short half-lives, no identifiable motor threshold).
- Enrolled in a clinical trial or has received an investigational medication or device in the last 30 days.
- Pregnant (will administer pregnancy test to confirm)
The sponsor's own eligibility wording, lightly reformatted. The study team makes the final eligibility decision — worth discussing with your doctor.
Eligibility criteria as of 2026-04-03