Donepezil and Cognitive Training for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)
Alcohol Use Disorder
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Alcohol Use Disorder
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Males and females 18-80 years of age
- Fluency in English and a 6th grade or higher reading level
- Meets the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) criteria for a current alcohol use disorder (subjects should have a primary alcohol use disorder [AUD] diagnosis, but may have concurrent occasional use of other substances)
- Referred for the study within 30 days of detoxification or last alcohol use according to medical records
- Willingness to attend follow-up assessments at 13 weeks
- Willingness to submit to Breathalyzer screenings and Urine Toxicology screenings
Exclusion Criteria:
- Lifetime diagnosis of a psychotic disorder, not induced by drug use
- Current treatment with opioids or benzodiazepines, which may affect new learning
- Involvement in a legal case that may lead to incarceration during the study period
- Residential plans that would interfere with participation
- Medical illness that may significantly compromise cognition (e.g., Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Huntington's chorea, moderate or greater TBI)
- An uncorrected sensory impairment (hearing or sight) that would seriously interfere with cognitive training
- Pre-morbid intelligence quotient (IQ) estimate below 70
- Unstable housing or lack of commitment to staying within a geographic area that would make follow-up possible
- Unwillingness to provide contact information of someone who can help study staff contact the subjects in the event that study staff are unable to maintain contact directly
- Allergy to donepezil
- Unstable cardiovascular disease or unstable medical condition-clinically determined by a physician
- Imminent suicidal or homicidal risk
- Pregnant or nursing women, positive pregnancy test, or inadequate birth control methods in women of childbearing potential
Sites / Locations
- VA Connecticut Healthcare SystemRecruiting
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Arm 4
Experimental
Experimental
Experimental
Experimental
Donepezil + Cognitive remediation therapy (CRT)
Donepezil + Placebo CRT
Placebo medication + Cognitive remediation therapy (CRT)
Placebo medication + Placebo CRT
Subjects in this arm will receive (1) donepezil and (2) cognitive remediation therapy (CRT). Subjects will take 5 mg/day of oral donepezil in the evening for the first 4 weeks, then 10 mg/day of oral donepezil in the evening until week 13.
Subjects in this arm will receive (1) donepezil and (2) placebo CRT. Subjects will take 5 mg/day of oral donepezil in the evening for the first 4 weeks, then 10 mg/day of oral donepezil in the evening until week 13.
Subjects in this arm will receive (1) placebo medication and (2) cognitive remediation therapy (CRT). Subjects will take placebo oral medication in the evening for the first 4 weeks, then placebo oral medication in the evening until week 13.
Subjects in this arm will receive (1) placebo medication and (2) placebo CRT. Subjects will take placebo oral medication in the evening for the first 4 weeks, then placebo oral medication in the evening until week 13.