The Competing Neurobehavioral Decisions Systems (CNDS) model of addiction suggests that persons with SUDs have hyperactive limbic reward circuitry and hypoactive executive control circuitry. CNDS theory supports targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC, part of executive control circuit) and other cortical targets with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). One candidate-the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC)-is part of limbic reward circuitry and accessible using rTMS. We validated a rigorous pharmacological stress-induction method (yohimbine + hydrocortisone) that emulates endogenous stress-reactivity and have established linkages between stress-exposure, executive dysfunction, and drug seeking. Our lab is developing rTMS as a potential anti-stress neuromodulation approach in people with opioid use disorder (OUD).~This study will use a stress (vs. placebo) exposure model, paired with single-session sham vs. active rTMS at two distinct cortical locations (dlPFC vs. mPFC in parallel groups) to assess whether rTMS neuromodulation at these alternative cortical loci differentially influence stress-reactivity and opioid reinforcement in non-treatment seeking participants with OUD. Stress-reactivity will be measured using cognitive, affective, behavioral and biological phenotypes.
This study will use a stress (vs. placebo) exposure model, paired with single-session sham vs. active rTMS at two distinct cortical locations (dlPFC vs. mPFC in parallel groups) to assess whether rTMS neuromodulation at these alternative loci differentially influence stress-reactivity and opioid reinforcement in non-treatment seeking participants with OUD. Stress-reactivity will be measured using cognitive, affective, behavioral and biological phenotypes.