Targeting Drug Memories With Methylphenidate

ID#: NCT05978167

Age: 26 - 50 years

Gender: All

Healthy Subjects: No

Study Phase: Early Phase 1

Recruitment Status: Recruiting

Start Date: July 05, 2023

End Date: August 31, 2024

Contact Information:
Natalie E McClain, BA
5023034101
Summary: This study aims to identify the neural, behavioral, and pharmacological mechanisms promoting diminished expression of drug-related memories in human drug addiction. In this fMRI study with a within-subjects placebo-controlled double-blind cross-over design, oral methylphenidate (20 mg) or placebo will be administered to individuals with cocaine use disorders (CUD) to peak during the retrieval of a drug-cue memory before extinction; in addition to fMRI activations, skin conductance responses (SCR, acquired simultaneously) will serve as the psychophysiological indicators of memory modification. Assessments of interference with the return of drug-cue memories via SCR and craving will be conducted the day following MRI. This pharmocologically-enhanced behavioral approach to decreasing drug memories and craving in iCUD could ultimately be used to develop effective cue-exposure therapies for drug addiction. Procedures include MRI, blood draw, questionnaires and interviews, skin conductance response measures, and behavioral tasks.
Eligibility:

Inclusion criteria:

- Ability to understand and give informed consent

- Males and females 26-50 years of age

- DSM-V diagnosis for CUD or otherwise problematic cocaine use as clinically determined

Exclusion criteria:

- DSM-5 diagnosis for schizophrenia or developmental disorder (e.g., autism)

- Head trauma with loss of consciousness

- History of neurological disease of central origin including seizures

- Cardiovascular disease including high blood pressure and/or other medical conditions, including metabolic, endocrinological, oncological or autoimmune diseases, and infectious diseases including Hepatitis B and C or HIV/AIDS

- Metal implants or other MR contraindications
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