Addiction Neuromodulation Trials: How to Optimize Design and Outcomes

Thursday, July 30, 2026 | 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM

Scope

This forum brings together professionals from academia, industry, NIH, and FDA to delve into the transformative potential of brain stimulation technologies for the treatment of substance use disorders. We will also discuss funding opportunities, quality standards and regulatory requirements. Join us for a dynamic three-hour session of insightful discussions and expert opinions. Following the forum, we invite you to unwind and connect during a casual meal and social gathering. Don't miss this opportunity to engage with thought leaders and expand your network in the field of addiction medicine.

Agenda Highlights

• Gain insights from expert panel discussions on the latest advancements in addiction neuromodulation.
• Learn about industry perspectives and how brain stimulation can be applied for addiction treatment.
• Explore FDA regulatory perspectives on these innovative treatments.
• Discuss new FDA approval and clearances and ongoing trials for addiction neuromodulation under FDA advisory.
• Be informed on new NIDA funding opportunities for addiction neuromodulation.
• Participate in a dynamic Q&A session to address your queries.
• Enjoy valuable networking opportunities with professionals from various sectors.
• Distinguished Speakers: This forum features renowned speakers from the industry, academia, NIH and FDA, providing diverse perspectives on the use of neuromodulation for addiction medicine.

Program

Time	Session
7:30 AM	Doors Open and Registration
8:00 - 8:30 AM	Morning Social, Reception and Coffee
8:30 - 9:30 AM	Panel 1: Current Level of Evidence for Brain Stimulation in Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment: What Else is Needed for the Prime Time? Chair: Hamed Ekhtiari Speakers: Colleen Hanlon, Edward Nunes, Diana Martinez, Andre Brunoni Topic Highlights: Living meta-analysis of TMS/tES protocols in SUD From Discovery and Invention to Innovation and Clinical Impact: Voices to be Heard How to Move between Mechanistic Studies and Pivotal Trials: Differences and Similarities between Medications vs. Device Therapeutics Hopes and Challenges in Addiction Neuromodulation to be an FDA Approved Treatment and Widely Implemented in the Communities
9:30 - 10:30 AM	Panel 2: Frontiers in Cortical Stimulation for Addiction Treatment: From Mechanism to Impact Chair: Travis Baker Travis Baker: Modulating Cingulate Cortex in Substance Use Disorders: What Works and What Doesn't Work. Greg Sahlem: Selectively Modulating SUD Circuitry Using Personalized rTMS Targeting and Pharmacologic Strategies Rita Z Goldstein: Brain-to-Brain Neurofeedback during a Naturalistic Dynamic Stimulus to Reduce Craving in Heroin Addiction Claudia Padula: Gender Considerations in Addiction Neuromodulation Yihong Yang: Cross Species Targeting Biomarkers for Addiction Neuromodulation
10:30 - 11:00 AM	Coffee Break
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM	Panel 3: Funding and Regulatory Agencies and Industry Chairs: Marom Bikson and Hamed Ekhtiari Current NIDA and NIAAA funding Opportunities: Will Aklin, Carmela Reichel, and NIAAA PO Other Federal Grant Opportunities: ARPA-H and PCORI Working with FDA: Both from FDA and Industry Perspectives Industry Perspectives and Plans: Brainsway: Abraham Zangen and Colleen Hanlon Soterix: Abhishek Datta Magventure: (TBC) Spark Biomedical: Alejandro Covalin Others
12:00 - 1:00 PM	Lunch Break
1:00 - 2:30 PM	Panel 4: Optimization and Augmentation in Addiction Neuromodulation ChairJoshua Brown Medication Augmentation: Joshua Brown Accelerated Protocols: Manish Jha Behavioral Augmentation: Kelvin Lim Cognitive Augmentation: Rita Z Goldstein Priming Augmentation: Abraham Zangen Individualized Targeting: Daniel McCalley and Ghazaleh Soleimani
2:30 - 3:30 PM	Panel 5: Frontiers in Sub-Cortical and Peripheral Stimulation for Addiction Treatment: From Mechanism to Impact ChairsKhaled Moussavwi and Brian Mickey tFUS: Khaled Moussavwi and Brian Mickey DBS: Casey Halpern TI: Venkat Bhat Transcutaneous Auricular Neurostimulation (tAN): Navid Khodaparast
3:30 - 4:00 PM	Coffee Break
4:00 - 4:45 PM	Panel 6: Special Populations and Comorbidities in People with SUD ChairHeather Ward Smoking in People living with Schizophrenia: Heather Ward People Living with HIV and Cancer Survivors: Gopalkumar Rakesh TMS for Psychiatric Comorbidities in people with SUD: Victor Tang
4:45 - 5:30 PM	Panel 7: Safety, Tolerability, Accessibility, Scalability and Acceptability of SUD in Addiction Clinics ChairHeather Ward Home-based neuromodulation in SUD: tDCS for CUD: Leigh Charvet TMS safety and tolerability in people with SUD: Vaughn Steele Group discussion: Heather Ward: Boots on the Ground: Challenges of Implementation of Neuromodulation as a Part of Addiction Recovery Care
5:30 - 6:00 PM	Final Discussion and Wrap Up
6:00 - 8:00 PM	Conference Social Event (Baylander Steel Beach - West Harlem Piers)