tDCS to Decrease Opioid Relapse (UH3)

NCT ID: NCT06432465

Last Updated: 2024-12-04

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

100 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-04-17

Study Completion Date

2026-12-31

Brief Summary

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Investigators will measure behavioral and brain responses following transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) (anode on right DLPFC, cathode on the left DLPFC) delivered during cognitive control network (CCN) priming. In Phase I, the EEG provided validation of expected changes in these networks following tDCS stimulation of the DLPFC. In this current phase (II), the investigators will perform a larger randomized clinical trial (RCT) (active vs. sham control) to address long-term neurobehavioral outcomes, including opioid relapse, craving, and sustained EEG changes.

Detailed Description

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Investigators will perform an RCT in 100 opioid dependent participants who recently initiated buprenorphine or methadone. Participants will be randomized to receive five sessions of tDCS+CCN priming stimulation vs. sham tDCS+CCN priming. Participants will be assessed three times using electroencephalographic (EEG), once prior to tDCS+CCN priming, right after the completion of 5 sessions of tDCS+CCN priming (one week later), and again 10 weeks later.

This phase will address long-term (3- and 6-month) neurobehavioral outcomes, including opioid relapse, craving, and sustained EEG changes during a paradigm that challenges networks associated with craving (CR) and cognitive control (CCN). During the 24 weeks of buprenorphine or methadone maintenance treatment, the investigators will examine our primary clinical outcome, relapse (opioid use on \>4 days per month and having an opioid positive urine screen), as well as days of opioid use.

Conditions

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Opioid Use Disorder

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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active tDCS

Each participant will undergo 5 consecutive (i.e., business days) sessions of active tDCS delivered to the DLPFC. During each session, participants are engaging in tasks that activate the cognitive control network.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

active tDCS

Intervention Type DEVICE

The anode will be placed over the right DLPFC (F4 on the EEG 10-20 system) and the cathode over the left DLPFC65 (F3) using 25cm2 sponges at an intensity of 2mA. Stimulation will be delivered for 20 minutes via two saline-soaked surface sponge electrodes and a battery-driven, constant current stimulator (NeuroConn DC Stimulator Plus).

sham tDCS

Each participant will undergo 5 consecutive (i.e., business days) sessions of sham tDCS delivered to the DLPFC. During each session, participants are engaging in tasks that activate the cognitive control network.

Group Type SHAM_COMPARATOR

sham tDCS

Intervention Type DEVICE

Same device and procedures as active tDCS with the exception that the device includes a study mode, in which subject-specific codes are entered to deliver active or sham stimulation, keeping the administrator blinded. Sham stimulation will use a method in which stimulation will be ramped up and back down over a 30-second period at the beginning and end of sham tDCS.

Interventions

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active tDCS

The anode will be placed over the right DLPFC (F4 on the EEG 10-20 system) and the cathode over the left DLPFC65 (F3) using 25cm2 sponges at an intensity of 2mA. Stimulation will be delivered for 20 minutes via two saline-soaked surface sponge electrodes and a battery-driven, constant current stimulator (NeuroConn DC Stimulator Plus).

Intervention Type DEVICE

sham tDCS

Same device and procedures as active tDCS with the exception that the device includes a study mode, in which subject-specific codes are entered to deliver active or sham stimulation, keeping the administrator blinded. Sham stimulation will use a method in which stimulation will be ramped up and back down over a 30-second period at the beginning and end of sham tDCS.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

1. current opioid dependence
2. between 21-60 years of age
3. recent initiation of buprenorphine or methadone (≤30days)
4. enrolled in Butler Hospital's Alcohol and Drug Inpatient Unit, Alcohol and Drug Partial Hospital Treatment Program, Intensive Outpatient Services, or Outpatient Services at Butler Hospital OR receive opioid-treatment services in the community.

Exclusion Criteria

1. current diagnosis of organic brain disorder (e.g., Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis, intracranial mass/infection, hydrocephalus)
2. bipolar, schizophrenia, schizoaffective, or schizophreniform disorder, or current psychosis associated with any disorder
3. current suicidality
4. evidence of significant neurocognitive dysfunction
5. conditions associated with heightened tDCS risks, e.g., seizure disorder, nonremovable intracranial metal objects (other than dental fillings and dental implants), skin disease or active lesions on the scalp, migraine/other headache disorder with significant active symptoms, traumatic brain injury or skull fracture within the past year, any implanted medical devices or device components that can interact with electromagnetic fields or are controlled by physiological signals
6. probation/parole requirements or an upcoming move that might interfere with protocol participation
7. planning to terminate buprenorphine or methadone in less than 3 months
8. current pregnancy or plan to become pregnant in the next month.
Minimum Eligible Age

21 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

60 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

NIH

Sponsor Role collaborator

Butler Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Abrantes Abrantes, Ph.D.

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Butler Hospital

Michael Stein, M.D.

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Boston University

Locations

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Butler Hospital

Providence, Rhode Island, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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United States

Central Contacts

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Ana M Abrantes, Ph.D.

Role: CONTACT

4014556440

Julie A Desaulniers, M.S.

Role: CONTACT

4014556219

Facility Contacts

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Ana M Abrantes, Ph.D.

Role: primary

401-455-6440

Other Identifiers

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4UH3DA047793

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: secondary_id

View Link

1317333

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id