# Examination of potential effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation (TDCS) paired with reappraisal training for Cannabis Use Disorder

> **NIH NIH R21** · YALE UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $247,875

## Abstract

Project Abstract
As cannabis becomes legalized in regions around the country, developing effective treatments for Cannabis
Use Disorder (CUD) becomes increasingly important. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (TDCS) holds
promise as an augment to existing behavioral treatments. Based on recent work in internet gaming disorder by
our team, enhancement of regulation skills through TDCS of the Dorso-lateral Prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) may
constitute a helpful treatment for addictive behaviors. Pairing TDCS of the DLPFC with specific training in
reappraisal may further help individuals regulate craving by enhancing effectiveness of training in the beneficial
emotional regulation strategy of reappraisal. Thus, the goal of this work is to examine if neurostimulation paired
with reappraisal training may enhance emotional regulation, resulting in a reduction of cannabis use coupled
with change in EEG correlates of regulation. Sixty participants will be recruited and assigned to either receive
real or sham TDCS alongside reappraisal training in 5 weekly single 20-minute sessions using a double-blind
design. Cannabis use will be measured daily using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) for the duration
of the month. Use of EMA technique will allow us to obtain detailed cannabis use information and determine
any change in use patterns. Further, we will examine EEG correlates of regulation of craving, using the
regulation of craving task, after TDCS at the first and final visit. Use of EEG during the regulation of craving
task post-stimulation at baseline and post-treatment will allow us to determine if DLPFC stimulation results in
enhancement of reappraisal coupled with both reduction in self-report of craving to cannabis images and
changes in EEG correlates of regulatory control and reactivity while participants attempt to regulate their
craving. We predict that real, as opposed to sham, TDCS will be associated with reduction in cannabis use as
measured by EMA, along with reductions in self-reported craving and enhancement of EEG correlates of
regulation at the final visit. If our predictions hold, findings will serve as important proof-of-concept data on the
effectiveness of TDCS in tandem with reappraisal training as a potential treatment augment for CUD as well as
elucidating potential mechanisms by which TDCS works. These data will set the stage for future work in larger
samples and longer durations investigating TDCS as a method to augment treatment for CUD.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10887016
- **Project number:** 1R21DA058713-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** YALE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** MICHAEL J CROWLEY
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $247,875
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-07-01 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10887016

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10887016, Examination of potential effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation (TDCS) paired with reappraisal training for Cannabis Use Disorder (1R21DA058713-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10887016. Licensed CC0.

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