A Controlled Laboratory Study of the Effects of rTMS On Cue-Induced Craving in Dependent Smokers

 **We are no longer seeking participants for this study. We have completed recruitment. Thank you for your interest.**

 The purpose of this study is to determine if an investigational procedure, called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), affects cigarette cravings. rTMS uses a device called a “stimulator” that provides electricity to a magnetic coil, which then delivers a magnetic field. This coil is placed against the forehead, focusing the magnetic field on the area of the brain that is thought to be involved in cigarette cravings. 

There are a total of 5 visits during the study. The first is a physical screening visit which will last approximately 2½ - 3 hours and includes a drug screen. Then there is a practice session followed by 3 laboratory sessions, each lasting approximately 2 ½ hours.

If you complete the practice and all laboratory sessions you will be compensated up to $600. You will not be compensated for the physical screening.

If you qualify to participate in the study, you will be asked to return to the laboratory for 4 visits. The first visit will be a practice session prior to the rTMS stimulation sessions. During the 2-hour-long practice session, you will be placed in the rTMS device, which is similar to a dentist chair, while a study staff member administers the magnetic stimulation. You will practice experimental procedures including controlled smoking. For the controlled smoking we will ask you to smoke a cigarette through the smoking device, which measures your normal number of puffs and volume of puffs.

After the practice session, you will be asked to return for 3 identical rTMS sessions lasting approximately 2 ½ hours each. We will perform a breath test measuring the carbon monoxide and collect a saliva sample. Your heart rate and blood pressure will be measured. You will be placed in the rTMS device. You will view and hold objects related to smoking or everyday objects for 2 minutes. You will smoke a cigarette through a smoking device and fill out questionnaires.

For further information or to participate in this study, please call 888-525-DUKE or email smoking@duke.edu.  

(IRB# 2339)