Cannabis Use DisorderNEMONCT07924852
Neuromodulation of Motivation and Reward Oscillations
A study testing Transcranial Alternating Current Delta Stimulation. and Transcranial Alternating Current Theta Stimulation in people with Cannabis Use Disorder and Major Depression, run by Florida State University at 2 sites in United States.
Trial summary
Cannabis use disorder (CUD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) are among the most prevalent psychiatric conditions in the United States, affecting an estimated 20.6 million and 21 million adults respectively. Both disorders are characterized by anhedonia, diminished motivation, and blunted neural reward sensitivity. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 55 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Cannabis Use Disorder, Major Depression, Anhedonia
- What is being tested?
- Transcranial Alternating Current Delta Stimulation. and Transcranial Alternating Current Theta Stimulation
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 54 participants
- Where
- 2 sitesUnited States
- Study dates
- 1 Nov 2026to 1 May 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 55 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Aged between 18 - 55 years old.
- Able to provide informed consent
- Have normal to corrected vision
- Willing to comply with all study procedures and be available for the duration of the study
- Speak and understand English.
- Negative THC saliva test and alcohol breathalyzer at all lab visits.
- Negative UTOX for any substance other than THC.
Who cannot join
- Mania history (Bipolar I, or current mania).
- Psychosis history.
- Current suicide intent (score >4 on C-SRSS, or intent >0 on SRA)
- Current moderate-to-severe SUD or AUD (Except CUD and nicotine for NEMO-CUD).
- Current pregnancy.
- Seizure, neurological conditions, or brain surgery history.
Show all 23Show fewer
- Implanted medical devices (e.g., cochlear implants, cardiac pacemakers).
- Change in psychotropic medication in the past 3 months (i.e., medication needs to be stable for 12 weeks).
- Use of seizure threshold lowering medication (e.g., Stimulants, Benzos, SNRIs, Antipsychotics [Adderall, Vyvanse, Xanax, Wellbutrin, Cymbalta, Lithium] - SSRIs not exclusionary).
- Specific CUD Inclusion:
- Avg. 6+ cannabis use days per week over the past 3-months, and 24+ cannabis use days in the past 30 days.
- Primary delta-9 or THC-A cannabis flower or vape concentrate user.
- Current moderate-to-severe CUD (4+ criteria in the past year, at least one criterion other than craving must be met in the past three months).
- Cannabis is the primary substance of use (Nicotine dependence is allowable)
- Not currently receiving treatment for cannabis, planning to immediately quit or reduce use.
- Lifetime history of MDE/PDD must have lifetime anhedonia symptom and/or heavy cannabis user (3+ sessions daily for at least past year including the past 3-months and past 30 days).
- Specific MDD Inclusion:
- Current MDE diagnosis.
- No lifetime history of severe SUD.
- No current moderate-to-severe SUD.
- 100% of NEMO-MDD participants elevated anhedonia on TEPS-C (i.e., 32 or lower on TEPS-C subscale).
- Specific Control Inclusion:
- No current or historical psychiatric diagnosis.
Trial locations and contacts
2 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States2 sites, 2 recruiting
- Not yet recruiting
The BRAINS Lab at Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida, 32306-4301
Zoe A Doctoral Student PI, M.Res., 850-644-2445, brains@psy.fsu.edu
- Recruiting
The Riddle Lab at Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida, 32306-4301
Zoe S Post baccalaureate Researcher, B.A., (850) 644-9869, RiddleLabFSU@gmail.com
About this study
Official title: Delta and Theta-Frequency Transcranial Alternating Stimulation Neuromodulation of Motivation and Reward Oscillations in Disorder of Reward Dysfunction.
Cannabis use disorder (CUD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) are among the most prevalent psychiatric conditions in the United States, affecting an estimated 20.6 million and 21 million adults respectively. Both disorders are characterized by anhedonia, diminished motivation, and blunted neural reward sensitivity. This shared dysregulated reward-processing may reflect a common prefrontal oscillatory dysfunction, centralized in mesolimbic dopaminergic reward pathways. This proposed project aims to investigate if transcranial alternating current (tACS) can modulate motivational behaviours and neural reward responsivity in participants with MDD and/or CUD during an effortful reward task. The investigators hypothesize that delta transcranial alternating current stimulation will produce a greater neural reward responsivity (RewP), and motivational behaviour during an effortful reward task.
Read the detailed description
Disrupted reward processing is a transdiagnostic feature that plays a central role in the development, and maintenance of anhedonia in Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Reward positivity (RewP) is an event-related potential (ERP) component derived from electroencephalogram (EEG) data, associated with motivation, reward responsivity and valuation. This neural signature originates in the medial and dorsolateral prefrontal cortexes. In MDD, reduced RewP has been associated with decreased willingness to expend effort for reward. Research of CUD and RewP is scarce, but dampened RewP has been demonstrated across different substances use disorders (SUDs) in response to monetary reward tasks. Taken together, these findings signal an emerging research frontier to establish RewP as a clinical biomarker and create a compelling mandate for causal investigation. Low-frequency neural oscillations are the key mechanisms facilitating long-distance prefrontal connectivity and interregional communication. Delta oscillations (2.5Hz) in medial and left lateral prefrontal cortexes are closely linked to RewP and reward prediction error signaling, while theta oscillations (6Hz) index cognitive control and prefrontal regulatory engagement during reward processing. Disruptions in both bands have been well documented in MDD, to a more limited extent, in cannabis-using populations. The proposed experiment will causally test whether sham, delta, and theta frequency tACS can alter motivation and reward responsivity (behaviourally [Effort behaviour] and neurally [RewP, delta power]), in participants with disorder of reward dysfunction, CUD, MDD, and healthy controls. Findings from the proposed study will aid in mechanistic understanding of prefrontal circuits underlying reward impairment in CUD and MDD, and ultimately enable for the development of novel brain stimulation techniques to target disorder-maintaining anhedonia. The investigators hypothesise that delta tACS will modulate reward responsivity in participants with disorders of reward. Such that, during the EEfRT Task delta stimulation will enhance reward responsive goal directed behaviour (Behavioral H1) and delta phase connectivity between left lateral and medial frontal electrodes (Neural H1) at effort decision period. As well as greater reward positivity (RewP; Neural 2), and win vs. loss delta power and phase coherence at feedback (Neural H3).
- Conditions
- Cannabis Use Disorder, Major Depression, Anhedonia, Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation
- Being tested
- Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation Sham, Transcranial Alternating Current Delta Stimulation., Transcranial Alternating Current Theta Stimulation
- Keywords
- Cannabis Use Disorder, Depression, Neurostimulation, Reward Responsivity
- Medical subject headings
- Depressive Disorder, Major, Anhedonia, Depression
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation ShamDevice
The tACS stimulation is briefly turned on and off over the course of 15-30 seconds.
Transcranial Alternating Current Delta Stimulation.Device
Approximately 20-minutes of delta stimulation (2.5Hz) applied to F3 (returns AF7, FC5, FC1) and AFz (returns Fp1, Fp2, F2). Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation Device is NeuroConn DC-Stimulator MC.
Transcranial Alternating Current Theta StimulationDevice
Approximately 20-minutes of theta stimulation (6Hz) applied to F3 (returns AF7, FC5, FC1) and AFz (returns Fp1, Fp2, F2). Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation Device is NeuroConn DC-Stimulator MC.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Delta tACS | Experimental | All participants receive delta (2.5 Hz), theta (6 Hz), and sham tACS across three separate sessions, separated by a 7-10 day washout. Session order is randomised and counterbalanced using a balanced Latin square, within each diagnostic group (CUD, MDD, healthy control). Stimulation is interleaved between the 8 blocks of the EEfRT (e.g., block 1 with stimulation, block 2 without, etc.). EEG activity will be recorded throughout the non-stimulation 4 blocks and proceeding interleaved non-stimulation blocks. Receives: Device: Transcranial Alternating Current Delta Stimulation. |
| Theta tACS | Active comparator | All participants receive delta (2.5 Hz), theta (6 Hz), and sham tACS across three separate sessions, separated by a 7-10 day washout. Session order is randomised and counterbalanced using a balanced Latin square, within each diagnostic group (CUD, MDD, healthy control). Stimulation is interleaved between the 8 blocks of the EEfRT (e.g., block 1 with stimulation, block 2 without, etc.). EEG activity will be recorded throughout the non-stimulation 4 blocks and proceeding interleaved non-stimulation blocks. Receives: Device: Transcranial Alternating Current Theta Stimulation |
| Sham tACS | Sham comparator | All participants receive delta (2.5 Hz), theta (6 Hz), and sham tACS across three separate sessions, separated by a 7-10 day washout. Session order is randomised and counterbalanced using a balanced Latin square, within each diagnostic group (CUD, MDD, healthy control). Stimulation is interleaved between the 8 blocks of the EEfRT (e.g., block 1 with stimulation, block 2 without, etc.). EEG activity will be recorded throughout the non-stimulation 4 blocks and proceeding interleaved non-stimulation blocks. Receives: Device: Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation Sham |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Effort-updating behavior during decision period.
The % of hard effort choices selected following a win versus following a loss.
Measured: Baseline (Day 0), Sham Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30), Theta Stim. Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30), Delta Stim. Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30). Specific range depends on particular counterbalanced order.
Delta phase coherence between left lateral and medial frontal electrodes during decision period following a win versus following a loss.
Electrical activity of the brain will be recorded via EEG during performance of the task and neurostimulation. Delta phase connectivity between left lateral and medial frontal electrodes during the decision period following a win versus following a loss.
Measured: Baseline (Day 0), Sham Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30), Theta Stim. Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30), Delta Stim. Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30). Specific range depends on particular counterbalanced order.
Reward positivity amplitude
Electrical activity of the brain will be recorded via EEG during performance of the task and neurostimulation. Reward positivity amplitude to wins vs. losses.
Measured: Baseline (Day 0), Sham Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30), Theta Stim. Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30), Delta Stim. Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30). Specific range depends on particular counterbalanced order.
Secondary outcomes (2)
Delta event-related spectral power
Electrical activity of the brain will be recorded via EEG during performance of the task and neurostimulation. Delta power to wins vs. losses.
Measured: Baseline (Day 0), Sham Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30), Theta Stim. Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30), Delta Stim. Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30). Specific range depends on particular counterbalanced order.
Delta intertrial phase coherence
Electrical activity of the brain will be recorded via EEG during performance of the task and neurostimulation. Delta intertrial phase coherence to wins vs. losses.
Measured: Baseline (Day 0), Sham Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30), Theta Stim. Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30), Delta Stim. Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30). Specific range depends on particular counterbalanced order.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted9 Nov 2026
- Study start1 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion1 Apr 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion1 May 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (5)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Cannabis Use DisorderStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Florida State UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Model description
- Double-blind crossover randomized placebo-controlled experiment.
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator
- Enrolment
- 54 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Florida State University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Rick James Macatee, Florida State University
- Investigators
- Richard J Macatee, Ph.D., Principal investigator, Florida State University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07924852
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- STUDY00007710
- Acronym
- NEMO
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 26 Oct 2026
- Last updated
- 9 Nov 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- Yes
- Individual data sharing
- No: The IPD will only be shared under reasonable request. The investigators might not share IPD in order to keep participant confidentiality paramount.
Publications
Byrd KJ, Johnston BW, Culp S, Kreutzer KA, Way BM, Phan KL, Gorka SM. Neural reward sensitivity and longitudinal patterns of alcohol and cannabis use in college-aged youth. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2026 Apr 1;281:113079. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2026.113079. Epub 2026 Feb 10.
PubMed 41713074Proudfit GH. The reward positivity: from basic research on reward to a biomarker for depression. Psychophysiology. 2015 Apr;52(4):449-59. doi: 10.1111/psyp.12370. Epub 2014 Oct 17.
PubMed 25327938Murray CH, Glazer JE, Lee R, Nusslock R, de Wit H. Delta9-THC reduces reward-related brain activity in healthy adults. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2022 Sep;239(9):2829-2840. doi: 10.1007/s00213-022-06164-y. Epub 2022 May 25.
PubMed 35612654Joyner KJ, Bowyer CB, Yancey JR, Venables NC, Foell J, Worthy DA, Hajcak G, Bartholow BD, Patrick CJ. Blunted Reward Sensitivity and Trait Disinhibition Interact to Predict Substance Use Problems. Clin Psychol Sci. 2019;7(5):1109-1124. doi: 10.1177/2167702619838480. Epub 2019 Sep 1.
PubMed 31853427Riddle J, Alexander ML, Schiller CE, Rubinow DR, Frohlich F. Reward-Based Decision-Making Engages Distinct Modes of Cross-Frequency Coupling. Cereb Cortex. 2022 May 14;32(10):2079-2094. doi: 10.1093/cercor/bhab336.
PubMed 34622271
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 9 Nov 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Delta and Theta-Frequency Transcranial Alternating Stimulation Neuromodulation of Motivation and Reward Oscillations in Disorder of Reward Dysfunction.
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07924852
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- NEMO / STUDY00007710
- Conditions
- Cannabis Use Disorder, Major Depression, Anhedonia, Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation
- Keywords
- Cannabis Use Disorder, Depression, Neurostimulation, Reward Responsivity
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 54 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Florida State UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 1 Apr 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 May 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 9 Nov 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Cannabis use disorder (CUD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) are among the most prevalent psychiatric conditions in the United States, affecting an estimated 20.6 million and 21 million adults respectively. Both disorders are characterized by anhedonia, diminished motivation, and blunted neural reward sensitivity. This shared dysregulated reward-processing may reflect a common prefrontal oscillatory dysfunction, centralized in mesolimbic dopaminergic reward pathways. This proposed project aims to investigate if transcranial alternating current (tACS) can modulate motivational behaviours and neural reward responsivity in participants with MDD and/or CUD during an effortful reward task. The investigators hypothesize that delta transcranial alternating current stimulation will produce a greater neural reward responsivity (RewP), and motivational behaviour during an effortful reward task.
Detailed description
Disrupted reward processing is a transdiagnostic feature that plays a central role in the development, and maintenance of anhedonia in Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Reward positivity (RewP) is an event-related potential (ERP) component derived from electroencephalogram (EEG) data, associated with motivation, reward responsivity and valuation. This neural signature originates in the medial and dorsolateral prefrontal cortexes. In MDD, reduced RewP has been associated with decreased willingness to expend effort for reward. Research of CUD and RewP is scarce, but dampened RewP has been demonstrated across different substances use disorders (SUDs) in response to monetary reward tasks. Taken together, these findings signal an emerging research frontier to establish RewP as a clinical biomarker and create a compelling mandate for causal investigation. Low-frequency neural oscillations are the key mechanisms facilitating long-distance prefrontal connectivity and interregional communication. Delta oscillations (2.5Hz) in medial and left lateral prefrontal cortexes are closely linked to RewP and reward prediction error signaling, while theta oscillations (6Hz) index cognitive control and prefrontal regulatory engagement during reward processing. Disruptions in both bands have been well documented in MDD, to a more limited extent, in cannabis-using populations. The proposed experiment will causally test whether sham, delta, and theta frequency tACS can alter motivation and reward responsivity (behaviourally [Effort behaviour] and neurally [RewP, delta power]), in participants with disorder of reward dysfunction, CUD, MDD, and healthy controls. Findings from the proposed study will aid in mechanistic understanding of prefrontal circuits underlying reward impairment in CUD and MDD, and ultimately enable for the development of novel brain stimulation techniques to target disorder-maintaining anhedonia. The investigators hypothesise that delta tACS will modulate reward responsivity in participants with disorders of reward. Such that, during the EEfRT Task delta stimulation will enhance reward responsive goal directed behaviour (Behavioral H1) and delta phase connectivity between left lateral and medial frontal electrodes (Neural H1) at effort decision period. As well as greater reward positivity (RewP; Neural 2), and win vs. loss delta power and phase coherence at feedback (Neural H3).
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, investigator)
- Number of arms
- 3
- Model description
- Double-blind crossover randomized placebo-controlled experiment.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Delta tACS | Experimental | Device: Transcranial Alternating Current Delta Stimulation.All participants receive delta (2.5 Hz), theta (6 Hz), and sham tACS across three separate sessions, separated by a 7-10 day washout. Session order is randomised and counterbalanced using a balanced Latin square, within each diagnostic group (CUD, MDD, healthy control). Stimulation is interleaved between the 8 blocks of the EEfRT (e.g., block 1 with stimulation, block 2 without, etc.). EEG activity will be recorded throughout the non-stimulation 4 blocks and proceeding interleaved non-stimulation blocks. |
| Theta tACS | Active comparator | Device: Transcranial Alternating Current Theta StimulationAll participants receive delta (2.5 Hz), theta (6 Hz), and sham tACS across three separate sessions, separated by a 7-10 day washout. Session order is randomised and counterbalanced using a balanced Latin square, within each diagnostic group (CUD, MDD, healthy control). Stimulation is interleaved between the 8 blocks of the EEfRT (e.g., block 1 with stimulation, block 2 without, etc.). EEG activity will be recorded throughout the non-stimulation 4 blocks and proceeding interleaved non-stimulation blocks. |
| Sham tACS | Sham comparator | Device: Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation ShamAll participants receive delta (2.5 Hz), theta (6 Hz), and sham tACS across three separate sessions, separated by a 7-10 day washout. Session order is randomised and counterbalanced using a balanced Latin square, within each diagnostic group (CUD, MDD, healthy control). Stimulation is interleaved between the 8 blocks of the EEfRT (e.g., block 1 with stimulation, block 2 without, etc.). EEG activity will be recorded throughout the non-stimulation 4 blocks and proceeding interleaved non-stimulation blocks. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 55 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Aged between 18 - 55 years old.
- Able to provide informed consent
- Have normal to corrected vision
- Willing to comply with all study procedures and be available for the duration of the study
- Speak and understand English.
Key exclusion criteria (23 listed)
- Mania history (Bipolar I, or current mania).
- Psychosis history.
- Current suicide intent (score >4 on C-SRSS, or intent >0 on SRA)
- Current moderate-to-severe SUD or AUD (Except CUD and nicotine for NEMO-CUD).
- Current pregnancy.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation ShamThe tACS stimulation is briefly turned on and off over the course of 15-30 seconds. | Device | Sham tACS |
| Transcranial Alternating Current Delta Stimulation.Approximately 20-minutes of delta stimulation (2.5Hz) applied to F3 (returns AF7, FC5, FC1) and AFz (returns Fp1, Fp2, F2). Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation Device is NeuroConn DC-Stimulator MC. | Device | Delta tACS |
| Transcranial Alternating Current Theta StimulationApproximately 20-minutes of theta stimulation (6Hz) applied to F3 (returns AF7, FC5, FC1) and AFz (returns Fp1, Fp2, F2). Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation Device is NeuroConn DC-Stimulator MC. | Device | Theta tACS |
Primary outcome
Effort-updating behavior during decision period.
Time frame: Baseline (Day 0), Sham Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30), Theta Stim. Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30), Delta Stim. Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30). Specific range depends on particular counterbalanced order.
The % of hard effort choices selected following a win versus following a loss.
Delta phase coherence between left lateral and medial frontal electrodes during decision period following a win versus following a loss.
Time frame: Baseline (Day 0), Sham Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30), Theta Stim. Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30), Delta Stim. Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30). Specific range depends on particular counterbalanced order.
Electrical activity of the brain will be recorded via EEG during performance of the task and neurostimulation. Delta phase connectivity between left lateral and medial frontal electrodes during the decision period following a win versus following a loss.
Reward positivity amplitude
Time frame: Baseline (Day 0), Sham Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30), Theta Stim. Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30), Delta Stim. Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30). Specific range depends on particular counterbalanced order.
Electrical activity of the brain will be recorded via EEG during performance of the task and neurostimulation. Reward positivity amplitude to wins vs. losses.
2 secondary outcomes
Delta event-related spectral power
Time frame: Baseline (Day 0), Sham Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30), Theta Stim. Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30), Delta Stim. Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30). Specific range depends on particular counterbalanced order.
Delta intertrial phase coherence
Time frame: Baseline (Day 0), Sham Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30), Theta Stim. Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30), Delta Stim. Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30). Specific range depends on particular counterbalanced order.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 9 Nov 2026.
- Background: PubMed 41713074Byrd KJ, Johnston BW, Culp S, Kreutzer KA, Way BM, Phan KL, Gorka SM. Neural reward sensitivity and longitudinal patterns of alcohol and cannabis use in college-aged youth. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2026 Apr 1;281:113079. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2026.113079. Epub 2026 Feb 10.
- Background: PubMed 25327938Proudfit GH. The reward positivity: from basic research on reward to a biomarker for depression. Psychophysiology. 2015 Apr;52(4):449-59. doi: 10.1111/psyp.12370. Epub 2014 Oct 17.
- Background: PubMed 35612654Murray CH, Glazer JE, Lee R, Nusslock R, de Wit H. Delta9-THC reduces reward-related brain activity in healthy adults. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2022 Sep;239(9):2829-2840. doi: 10.1007/s00213-022-06164-y. Epub 2022 May 25.
- Background: PubMed 31853427Joyner KJ, Bowyer CB, Yancey JR, Venables NC, Foell J, Worthy DA, Hajcak G, Bartholow BD, Patrick CJ. Blunted Reward Sensitivity and Trait Disinhibition Interact to Predict Substance Use Problems. Clin Psychol Sci. 2019;7(5):1109-1124. doi: 10.1177/2167702619838480. Epub 2019 Sep 1.
- Background: PubMed 34622271Riddle J, Alexander ML, Schiller CE, Rubinow DR, Frohlich F. Reward-Based Decision-Making Engages Distinct Modes of Cross-Frequency Coupling. Cereb Cortex. 2022 May 14;32(10):2079-2094. doi: 10.1093/cercor/bhab336.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. The IPD will only be shared under reasonable request. The investigators might not share IPD in order to keep participant confidentiality paramount.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Richard J Macatee, Ph.D. principal investigator
Florida State University
2 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Transcranial Alternating Current Delta Stimulation. and Transcranial Alternating Current Theta Stimulation in people with Cannabis Use Disorder and Major Depression, run by Florida State University at 2 sites in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 7 inclusion and 23 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 9 Nov 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 2 sites in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Zoe Howell Doctoral Student PI, M.Res. (850-644-2445, brains@psy.fsu.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Effort-updating behavior during decision period. (time frame: Baseline (Day 0), Sham Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30), Theta Stim. Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30), Delta Stim. Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30). Specific range depends on particular counterbalanced order.). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07924852, which also lists 5 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 9 Nov 2026.