Study on the treatment of cocaine use disorder: investigation of a novel treatment method

Design byVeronika Stratiewski 

At the Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, a study is being conducted under the direction of PD Dr. Marcus Herdener, combining two novel treatment methods for cocaine use disorder: A single dose of ketamine, a well-researched anaesthetic drug that is already being used successfully to treat depressive disorders, and neurofeedback training, which teaches patients how to regulate their brain activity in a targeted manner.

This is a clinical study with a randomised, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled design.

As this is a placebo-controlled study, only 50% of participants will receive the real drug, i.e. ketamine. The allocation of ketamine or placebo is random.

The neurofeedback training is also placebo-controlled, which means that only half of the participants receive the real neurofeedback training. The other half also undergoes neurofeedback training, but the feedback is not real.

However, due to the study design, the probability of receiving at least one of the two novel forms of therapy is 75%.

Participation in the study will be compensated with up to CHF 370.

The study began in January 2024 and will run for at least two years.
If you are interested, you can register here.

Inserat Co-Boost (PDF, 84 KB)

SWR-Wissen piece:

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Article on the study:

Tagesanzeigerartikel vom 18. Dezember 2023

Entry in the study portal of the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH):

Link to website