# Effects of tDCS Paired with Cognitive Training on Brain Networks associated with Alcohol Use Disorder in Veterans

> **NIH VA I01** · MINNEAPOLIS VA  MEDICAL CENTER · 2021 · —

## Abstract

Alcohol misuse is an epidemic among Veterans in the United States. Nearly 1/3 of Veterans have a lifetime
history of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Across Veteran and civilian populations, about 60% of those entering
treatment will relapse within one year. Paradoxically, chronic alcohol use is associated with cognitive
impairments and changes in their underlying neural circuitry, that interfere with adaptive behavior needed for
successful recovery. However, these cognitive impairments and their underlying neural substrates are
promising new targets for interventions that can reduce relapse rates. Evidence suggests that cognitive training
can improve cognition in individuals with AUD, strengthen neural networks mediating cognition, and improve
treatment outcome. However, cognitive training is effort intensive, has small effect sizes, and may have limited
durability.
Evidence suggests that addiction is mediated by a dysfunctional cortico-striatal neurocircuitry characterized by
excess striatal activity (driving substance use) coupled with hypoactive prefrontal cortex (impaired cognitive
control)​.​ Resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) data has identified a promising circuit-based target for
the treatment of addiction. Individuals who have achieved long-term abstinence from alcohol (~7 years of
abstinence) have higher RSFC in prefrontally-mediated networks (e.g. prefrontal-striatal, prefrontal-parietal,
prefrontal-insular, prefrontal-thalamic networks) th​an controls or those with short-term abstinence (6-10 weeks
of abstinence). Moreover, lower prefrontal RSFC during short-term abstinence can predict subsequent relapse.
The ​primary objective​ of this study is to investigate the use of a novel neuroplasticity based intervention that
combines ​cognitive training​ and ​transcranial direct current stimulation ​(tDCS) neuromodulation​ to enhance
frontal-striatal RSFC and cognition, with the goal to improve treatment outcomes and increase abstinence in
Veterans with AUD.
This research proposal will address the following ​Specific Aims (SAs)​: ​SA1) ​Compare brain network changes
between active tDCS vs. sham tDCS (placebo) groups, ​when both groups receive cognitive training​. RSFC
changes will be measured with functional magnetic resonance imaging data collected pre- and
post-intervention. ​Hypothesis:​ ​Active tDCS, compared to sham tDCS will produce a significantly greater
increase in prefrontal-striatal RSFC. ​SA2) ​Evaluate cognitive changes between active tDCS vs. sham tDCS
(placebo) groups. ​Hypothesis:​ ​Active tDCS, compared to sham tDCS, will produce a significantly greater
improvement in cognitive performance measures. ​SA3) ​Compare the effects of active tDCS vs. sham tDCS on
drinking behavior over a 2 month follow-up period.​ ​Our primary outcome will be to compare binge drinking days
per week​ w​ ithin the 2 months after the intervention between AUD participants who receive active tDCS vs.
sham. ​Hypothesis:​ ​Active tDCS, compared to ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10075125
- **Project number:** 5I01CX001995-02
- **Recipient organization:** MINNEAPOLIS VA  MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** KELVIN O. LIM
- **Activity code:** I01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-01-01 → 2023-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10075125

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10075125, Effects of tDCS Paired with Cognitive Training on Brain Networks associated with Alcohol Use Disorder in Veterans (5I01CX001995-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10075125. Licensed CC0.

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