Tests brain stimulation for cannabis use in people with schizophrenia
Tests brain stimulation with a weak current to reduce cannabis use in adults with schizophrenia.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Examining tDCS Effect on Cannabis Use Disorder in Patients With Schizophrenia
Key facts
- Where
- Bron, Clermont-Ferrand, Dijon, La Tronche, Saint-Cyr-au-Mont-d'Or, Saint-Égrève, and Saint-Priest-en-Jarez, FranceSee the 8 sites
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 18 and 60 years old?
Source: NCT04871048, who can take part
Where in France
- CH Le Vinatier Service universitaire d'addictologie de LyonBron, FranceNot yet recruiting
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Service d'Addictologie et Pathologies DuellesClermont-Ferrand, FranceNot yet recruiting
- CHU de Clermont-Ferrand Service de PsychiatrieClermont-Ferrand, FranceNot yet recruiting
- Service Hospitalo-Universitaire d'Addictologie CHU de DijonDijon, FranceNot yet recruiting
- CHU Pôle de Psychiatrie Neurologie et RééducationLa Tronche, FranceNot yet recruiting
- CH Saint-Cyr-au-Mont-d'Or service de psychiatrieSaint-Cyr-au-Mont-d'Or, FranceNot yet recruiting
- Centre Hospitalier Alpes-IsèreSaint-Égrève, FranceNot yet recruiting
- Chu de Saint EtienneSaint-Priest-en-Jarez, FranceTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint Etienne
- Trial code
- NCT04871048
- Record updated
- 6 May 2026
- Original description
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.Read full original descriptionShow less
Examining tDCS Effect on Cannabis Use Disorder in Patients With Schizophrenia A Randomized Controlled Double-blind Exploratory Multicentric Study
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.
Inclusion: 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: Other substance use disorder, excluding nicotine, according to DSM 5 criteria; Other current psychiatric disorder according to DSM 5 criteria, excluding personality disorder; History of head injury, neurological disorder with cerebral consequence or severe unstable somatic disorder; Contraindications for tDCS and/or MRI (implanted material, uncontrolled epilepsy, intracranial hypertension); Inpatient hospitalization; Pregnancy or no contraception.