rTMS Target Identification for Functional Disability in AUD+mTBI

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The objectives of this VA Merit application are to identify a neural target unique to Veterans with co-occurring alcohol use disorder and mild traumatic brain injury (AUD+mTBI) and to test the efficacy of this target as a stimulation site for repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) treatment to maximize functional recovery. rTMS will soon be a treatment option at 30 VAs nationwide and preliminary studies show promise for AUD and mTBI treatment. A better understanding of how AUD+mTBI impacts the brain needs to occur in order to advance rTMS to optimize function. This research is aligned with the VA RR&D's mission to generate knowledge and innovations to advance the rehabilitative health and care of Veterans, to effectively integrate clinical and applied rehabilitation research, and translate research results into practice. This research is also aligned with the goal of the Psychological Health & Social Reintegration portfolio to develop interventions improving psychological health status of Veterans enabling them to function more fully in society.

Detailed Description
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Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) impact functional abilities. AUD occurs in up to 35% of Veterans with mTBI. Evidence suggests that co-occurrence of AUD and mTBI (AUD+mTBI) leads to an exacerbation of brain dysfunction, symptom manifestation, and ultimately, functional disability. Alcohol-related characteristics are operationally defined per AUD symptoms and outcomes including, but not limited to, alcohol consumption, alcohol craving, and AUD severity. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive neuromodulatory treatment that will soon be a treatment option at 30 VAs nationwide. Preliminary rTMS efficacy is demonstrated for AUD alone and mTBI alone using a variety of neural targets. rTMS is, thus, a promising treatment for AUD+mTBI. The objectives of this study are to 1) identify neural targets (i.e. site of stimulation) associated with both alcohol-related characteristics and self-reported functional disability, and 2) assess preliminary efficacy and sustainability of a high frequency rTMS protocol applied to these customized neural targets relative to the commonly used left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) site. Addressing these objectives are essential steps towards the long-term research goal [to customize and clinically implement a rTMS treatment] that can improve brain function resulting in optimal recovery for Veterans with AUD+mTBI. To address the first study objective, Veterans will be recruited and classified into one of two groups based on structured-interviews, self-report measures, and neuropsychological assessments: 1) AUD+mTBI, and 2) [Veteran controls] without a history or symptoms of mTBI or AUD. Alcohol-related characteristics will be assessed through objective measures of alcohol use, self-report measures, and structured interviews. Self-reported functional disability will be assessed using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS). Neuroimaging metrics will be assessed through a multi-modal, functional and structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan. Participants will complete a functional MRI (fMRI) protocol where brain activation will be measured in response to viewing images related to alcohol, compared to neutral images. Advanced neuroimaging procedures to determine the structural integrity of white matter fibers in the brain and spontaneous activity in brain networks, a process called resting state functional connectivity (rsFC), will also be conducted. To address the second study objective, AUD+mTBI Veterans will receive rTMS at one site randomly assigned from a set of 4 sites: 3 customized neural targets identified in this study, and the commonly used left DLPFC. AUD+mTBI Veterans will complete 10 PLACEBO, then 10 ACTIVE rTMS sessions in a within-subjects design. Follow-up WHODAS assessments will occur at 2-weeks, 1-month and 6-months post-ACTIVE rTMS. Aim 1 will identify unique neural targets for rTMS to treat AUD+mTBI by determining which multi-modal neuroimaging metrics are most strongly associated with both alcohol-related characteristics and functional disability. Aim 2 will [test preliminary efficacy of high-frequency rTMS administered over the customized neural targets] to treat functional disability among Veterans with AUD+mTBI. Aim 3 will assess sustainability of rTMS effects on functional disability for Veterans with AUD+mTBI. The investigators hypothesize that for Veterans with AUD+mTBI, there are neural substrates of AUD related to functional disability, and that neuromodulation of these substrates will be related to gains in functional disability. The investigators' innovative approach represents an advancement in the field of neurorehabilitation because a neural target will be systematically defined, using multi-modal neuroimaging, prior to preliminary rTMS efficacy and sustainability testing. These steps are necessary to customize rTMS treatment for a population of Veterans with co-occurring conditions and unique health care needs. Thus, the outcomes of this research will optimize function for Veterans with AUD+mTBI.

Official Title
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Neural Target Identification for Functional Disability Associated With Alcohol Related Characteristics Among Veterans With Co-occurring Alcohol Use Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury

Conditions
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Alcohol Use Disorder, Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: Magventure MagProX100 with MagOption stimulator and Magpro Cool Coil B65 A/P


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Can read and speak English Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) criteria for AUD Symptom Attribution and Classification (SACA) criteria (Pape, Herrold et al 2016, JHTR) for mTBI (without requirement of clinical neuropsychological impairment) Exclusion Criteria: History of moderate to severe TBI Neurodegenerative disease (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis) History of or current psychotic spectrum disorders (i.e., schizophrenia, schizoaffective and bipolar disorders) Intellectual disability (WTAR predicted full-scale IQ score < 70)42 Are pregnant or nursing Use of benzodiazepines, opiates, cocaine, or amphetamines in the past 30 days Meet DSM-5 criteria for moderate to severe cannabis use disorder Contraindications to MRI (e.g., claustrophobia, ferromagnetic metal in eyes or face, congestive heart failure, implanted cardiac pacemaker or defibrillator, cochlear implant, nerve stimulator) Meet SACA criteria for 'Questionable Validity' of performance effort and symptom reporting

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 22 Years
Maximum Age: 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Interventional Model Description: Magventure MagProX100 with MagOption stimulator and Magpro Cool Coil B65 A/P and Magpro C-B60
Masking: Triple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Active + Placebo rTMS for Custom Neural Target Group 1<br>Custom neural anatomical target 1 defined by neuroimaging data | Device: Magventure MagProX100 with MagOption stimulator and Magpro Cool Coil B65 A/P<br>* rTMS device<br>* Other names: rTMS device;|
| Active Comparator: Active + Placebo rTMS for Custom Neural Target Group 2<br>Custom neural anatomical target 2 defined by neuroimaging data | Device: Magventure MagProX100 with MagOption stimulator and Magpro Cool Coil B65 A/P<br>* rTMS device<br>* Other names: rTMS device;|
| Active Comparator: Active + Placebo rTMS for Custom Neural Target Group 3<br>Custom neural anatomical target 3 defined by neuroimaging data | Device: Magventure MagProX100 with MagOption stimulator and Magpro Cool Coil B65 A/P<br>* rTMS device<br>* Other names: rTMS device;|
| Active Comparator: Active + Placebo rTMS for Left DLPFC Neural Target<br>Neural anatomical target will be the Left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex identified using the 5cm from the motor hot spot rule. | Device: Magventure MagProX100 with MagOption stimulator and Magpro Cool Coil B65 A/P<br>* rTMS device<br>* Other names: rTMS device;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS) Change | 36-item self report measure of global functional disability. We will use the complex scoring method which creates a summary score into a metric ranging from 0 to 100 (where 0 = no disability; 100 = full disability). | baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks, 6 months |