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Project 1 Aim 2, Adaptations of the Brain in Chronic Pain With Opioid Exposure

Primary Purpose

Opioid Use, Opioid Dependence, Opioid-use Disorder

Status
Recruiting
Phase
Phase 2
Locations
United States
Study Type
Interventional
Intervention
Carbidopa-Levodopa 25 Mg-100 Mg Oral Tablet
Naproxen 500 Mg
Opioids
Sponsored by
Northwestern University
About
Eligibility
Locations
Arms
Outcomes
Full info

About this trial

This is an interventional treatment trial for Opioid Use focused on measuring norco, opioid, pain medication, tramadol, oxycodone, pain, chronic pain, chronic back pain, back pain, narcotics

Eligibility Criteria

18 Years - undefined (Adult, Older Adult)All SexesDoes not accept healthy volunteers

Inclusion Criteria:

  • History of low back pain for a minimum of 6 months daily (prior to screening), meeting the Quebec Task Force Classification System symptom categories I-III;
  • Male or female, age equal or greater than 18 years, with no racial/ethnic restrictions;
  • Must be able to read and speak English and be willing to read and understand instructions as well as questionnaires;
  • Must be in generally stable health;
  • Must sign an informed consent document after a complete explanation of the study documenting that they understand the purpose of the study, procedures to be undertaken, possible benefits and potential risks, and are willing to participate;
  • Must have, on average ≥ 4/10 units of pain intensity over the course of a 1-4 week period prior to the brain scanning visit;
  • Must be willing to complete daily smartphone/computer eDiary ratings;
  • Must be on regular opioid therapy or for at least 3 months prior to randomization which will be up to the clinical investigator's decision
  • Must be on a short acting opioid therapy (anticipated duration of action < 6 hours)

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Low back pain associated with any systemic signs or symptoms, e.g., fever, chills;
  • Other comorbid chronic pain or neurological conditions;
  • Use of therapeutic doses of antidepressant medications at unstable doses (i.e., tricyclic depressants, SSRIs, SNRIs; low doses used for sleep may be allowed);
  • Significant other unstable medical disease such as diabetes, congestive heart failure, coronary or peripheral vascular disease, chronic obstructive lung disease, or malignancy;
  • Uncontrolled hypertension;
  • Renal insufficiency;(correlated creatinine clearance < 40mL/min or serum creatinine ≥2)
  • Daily use of high doses of opioids,, as defined as > 50mg morphine equivalent/day;
  • Any medical condition that in the investigator's judgment may prevent the individual from completing the study or put the individual at undue risk;
  • In the judgment of the investigator, unable or unwilling to follow protocol and instructions;
  • Evidence of poor treatment compliance, in the judgment of the investigator;
  • Intra-axial implants (e.g. spinal cord stimulators or pumps);
  • All exclusion criteria for MR safety: any metallic implants, brain or skull abnormalities, tattoos on large body parts, and claustrophobia;
  • Pregnancy, or inability to use an effective form of contraception in women of child-bearing age;
  • An established diagnosis of diabetes (type 1 or type 2)
  • Lactose intolerance
  • History of an allergic reaction to naproxen or any NSAID;
  • History of any untoward reaction to carbidopa/levodopa
  • Use of a patch or long acting opioid therapy (e.g. anticipated duration of action > 6 hours)

Sites / Locations

  • Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineRecruiting

Arms of the Study

Arm 1

Arm 2

Arm Type

Experimental

Experimental

Arm Label

Chronic Back Pain with Opioid Use

Chronic Back Pain with Opioid Misuse Disorder

Arm Description

Subjects of this arms will be on a previously prescribed, short term acting opioid. Previous to each of the three imaging visits, subjects will be instructed to withhold from taking their regular morning opioid dose. Subjects will be randomized into a group that determines the sequence of which they will receive the study drugs. The three sequences are as follows: treatment dose #1: 25mg carbidopa/ 100mg levodopa + 500mg naproxen, treatment dose #2: subjects prescribed, short acting opioid; treatment dose #1: placebo, treatment dose #2: subjects prescribed, short acting opioid; or treatment #1: subjects prescribed, short acting opioid, treatment dose #2: placebo.

Subjects of this arms will be on a previously prescribed, short term acting opioid. Previous to each of the three imaging visits, subjects will be instructed to withhold from taking their regular morning opioid dose. Subjects will be randomized into a group that determines the sequence of which they will receive the study drugs. The three sequences are as follows: treatment dose #1: 25mg carbidopa/ 100mg levodopa + 500mg naproxen, treatment dose #2: subjects prescribed, short acting opioid; treatment dose #1: placebo, treatment dose #2: subjects prescribed, short acting opioid; or treatment #1: subjects prescribed, short acting opioid, treatment dose #2: placebo.

Outcomes

Primary Outcome Measures

Differences across drugs in pain changes as assessed by Numeric Rating Scale (0-10).
NRS scale will be used to evaluate self-reported pain. Participants will rate their pain before and after receiving the visit drug treatment. Changes in pain scores (after minus before) will be compared between drugs (opioids vs. placebo vs. Carbidopa/Levodopa +naproxen).
Differences across drugs in Withdrawal relief assessed by Pain and Craving Index (PCI).
Pain and Drug craving Index (PCI) will be used to evaluate self-reported medication cravings. Participants will complete the scale, before and after receiving the visit drug treatment. Changes in PCI scores (after minus before) will be compared between drugs (opioids vs. placebo vs. Carbidopa/Levodopa +naproxen).

Secondary Outcome Measures

Differences in pain changes (NRS) across High and Low Misuse groups measured by the Current Opioid Misuse Measure (COMM).
Current Opioid Misuse Measure (COMM) is a 17-item self-report measure of risk for aberrant medication-related behavior among persons with chronic pain who are prescribed opioids for pain. Participants will be divided into two groups: high COMM and low COMM. Changes in pain scores (after minus before) will be compared between COMM groups (high vs. low)
Differences in withdrawal changes (PCI) across High and Low Misuse groups measured by the Current Opioid Misuse Measure (COMM).
Current Opioid Misuse Measure (COMM) is a 17-item self-report measure of risk for aberrant medication-related behavior among persons with chronic pain who are prescribed opioids for pain. Participants will be divided into two groups: high COMM and low COMM. Changes in Withdrawal relief - PCI score (after minus before) will be compared between COMM groups (high vs. low).

Full Information

First Posted
February 27, 2020
Last Updated
June 16, 2023
Sponsor
Northwestern University
Collaborators
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, National Institutes of Health (NIH)
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1. Study Identification

Unique Protocol Identification Number
NCT05463367
Brief Title
Project 1 Aim 2, Adaptations of the Brain in Chronic Pain With Opioid Exposure
Official Title
Project 1 Aim 2, Adaptations of the Brain in Chronic Pain With Opioid Exposure
Study Type
Interventional

2. Study Status

Record Verification Date
June 2023
Overall Recruitment Status
Recruiting
Study Start Date
January 1, 2021 (Actual)
Primary Completion Date
August 1, 2023 (Anticipated)
Study Completion Date
August 1, 2023 (Anticipated)

3. Sponsor/Collaborators

Responsible Party, by Official Title
Principal Investigator
Name of the Sponsor
Northwestern University
Collaborators
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, National Institutes of Health (NIH)

4. Oversight

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product
Yes
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product
No
Data Monitoring Committee
Yes

5. Study Description

Brief Summary
This study is designed to track brain functional changes in individuals with i) chronic back pain + opioid use (CBP+O) and individuals with ii) chronic back pain + opioid misuse disorder (CBP+mOUD) following a brief drug delay and re-exposure manipulation. Re-exposure could be placebo, the participant's own opioid dose, or a dopaminergic treatment (DA+NSAID). The participants will be also evaluated for changes in cognition, emotion, and motor abilities with opioid delay and re-exposure to placebo, opioid, or DA+NSAID.
Detailed Description
Screening Visit (2-3 hours) (if applicable): Participants that have participated in Project 1 Aim 1 within three months of consenting to Project 1 Aim 2 will not require a screening visit and can continue on to Visit 1, 2 and 3 of Aim 2. A screening visit will be applicable for those participants that did not participate in Project 1 Aim 1, and for those that had participated but did so more than three months prior to consenting to Project 1 Aim 2. Participants will be evaluated with inclusion/exclusion criteria and complete the informed consent. A medical/pain history will be taken and a physical exam will be completed by a physician. Participants will complete a number of questionnaires assessing health and medical history, past and current pain levels, and personality. Participants will have their blood drawn to confirm appropriate kidney and liver function (investigators will take ~40mL of blood). Participants will also be asked to provide a urine sample to confirm if any illicit drugs are in their system. Participants will also be instructed to report their pain and craving ratings via an application that will be downloaded on their device. They will need to complete two ratings per day that they are involved in the study. Visit 1, 2, and 3 (6-8 hours): Participants will be instructed to not take their morning opioid medication. Upon arrival, participants will be asked to report their pain and craving using the Pain and Craving Index (PCI), which will be used as a baseline rating. They will complete the PCI once every hour throughout their visit. Once their PCI has increased by at least two-points from their baseline rating, the patient will undergo their first brain MRI scan (anatomical and functional scans). Between arrival and the first MRI, participants will complete several questionnaires regarding pain, mood, thoughts, and feelings. Directly after the MRI, participants will have their blood drawn. This blood draw will be used to quantitatively analyze the participants' opioid levels. Participants will then complete the NIH Toolbox. The NIH Toolbox is a compilation of activities that evaluate different cognitive, motor and emotional functions. Participants will then be randomized and receive "Treatment Dose #1." Treatment dose #1 will be one of the following: a single dose of the participant's opioid prescription (provided by Northwestern Memorial Hospital's investigational pharmacy), carbidopa/levodopa (c-dopa/l-dopa), or placebo (lactose). Participants will then complete the same questionnaires as they previously had, undergo a second brain MRI scan, have their blood drawn, and complete a second NIH Toolbox. Participants will then receive "Treatment Dose #2." For those participants that received their opioid medication for treatment dose #1, they will receive placebo for their treatment dose #2. For those participants that received carbidopa/levodopa or placebo for treatment dose #1, they will receive their opioid prescription for their treatment dose #2. After receiving treatment dose #2, participants will be done with their imaging visit. Each participant will have three total imaging visits. The activities within each imaging visit will be identical, the only variable will be the study intervention (opioid, c-dopa/l-dopa, or placebo) that they receive. All participants will receive each of the possible study interventions; however, the sequence of when they will receive each drug will be different from participant to participant. Neither participants nor the clinical coordinator/assistant will know which intervention the participant is receiving.

6. Conditions and Keywords

Primary Disease or Condition Being Studied in the Trial, or the Focus of the Study
Opioid Use, Opioid Dependence, Opioid-use Disorder, Narcotic Use, Back Pain, Back Injuries, Chronic Pain, Chronic Low-back Pain, Pain, Chronic, Pain;Back Low;Chronic, Pain, Back
Keywords
norco, opioid, pain medication, tramadol, oxycodone, pain, chronic pain, chronic back pain, back pain, narcotics

7. Study Design

Primary Purpose
Treatment
Study Phase
Phase 2
Interventional Study Model
Crossover Assignment
Model Description
There will be 2 arms of participants, those who have back pain with opioid exposure, and those who have back pain with opioid exposure and opioid misuse disorder. Each participant, regardless of the arm that they are in, will receive each of the possible study interventions. The only difference will be the order of which they receive each interventions.
Masking
ParticipantInvestigator
Allocation
Randomized
Enrollment
80 (Anticipated)

8. Arms, Groups, and Interventions

Arm Title
Chronic Back Pain with Opioid Use
Arm Type
Experimental
Arm Description
Subjects of this arms will be on a previously prescribed, short term acting opioid. Previous to each of the three imaging visits, subjects will be instructed to withhold from taking their regular morning opioid dose. Subjects will be randomized into a group that determines the sequence of which they will receive the study drugs. The three sequences are as follows: treatment dose #1: 25mg carbidopa/ 100mg levodopa + 500mg naproxen, treatment dose #2: subjects prescribed, short acting opioid; treatment dose #1: placebo, treatment dose #2: subjects prescribed, short acting opioid; or treatment #1: subjects prescribed, short acting opioid, treatment dose #2: placebo.
Arm Title
Chronic Back Pain with Opioid Misuse Disorder
Arm Type
Experimental
Arm Description
Subjects of this arms will be on a previously prescribed, short term acting opioid. Previous to each of the three imaging visits, subjects will be instructed to withhold from taking their regular morning opioid dose. Subjects will be randomized into a group that determines the sequence of which they will receive the study drugs. The three sequences are as follows: treatment dose #1: 25mg carbidopa/ 100mg levodopa + 500mg naproxen, treatment dose #2: subjects prescribed, short acting opioid; treatment dose #1: placebo, treatment dose #2: subjects prescribed, short acting opioid; or treatment #1: subjects prescribed, short acting opioid, treatment dose #2: placebo.
Intervention Type
Drug
Intervention Name(s)
Carbidopa-Levodopa 25 Mg-100 Mg Oral Tablet
Other Intervention Name(s)
Sinemet
Intervention Description
Subjects will receive a single dose of carbidopa/levodopa, when applicable.This will be double-blinded, as neither participants nor study staff will know what medication the participant is receiving.
Intervention Type
Drug
Intervention Name(s)
Naproxen 500 Mg
Other Intervention Name(s)
Aleve, Anaprox, Antalgin, Midol Extended Relief, Naprosyn, Soproxen, Synflex, Xenobid
Intervention Description
Subjects will receive a single dose of naproxen 500mg alongside carbidopa/levodopa, when applicable.This will be double-blinded, as neither participants nor study staff will know what medication the participant is receiving.
Intervention Type
Drug
Intervention Name(s)
Opioids
Other Intervention Name(s)
hydrocodone/acetaminophen, oxycodone/acetaminophen, oxycodone, oxymorphone, morphine, codeine, tramadol
Intervention Description
Subjects will be pre-screened in regards to their opioid medication. They will receive a single dose of their opioid dose, when appropriate. This will be double-blinded, as neither participants nor study staff will know what medication the participant is receiving.
Primary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Differences across drugs in pain changes as assessed by Numeric Rating Scale (0-10).
Description
NRS scale will be used to evaluate self-reported pain. Participants will rate their pain before and after receiving the visit drug treatment. Changes in pain scores (after minus before) will be compared between drugs (opioids vs. placebo vs. Carbidopa/Levodopa +naproxen).
Time Frame
3 weeks
Title
Differences across drugs in Withdrawal relief assessed by Pain and Craving Index (PCI).
Description
Pain and Drug craving Index (PCI) will be used to evaluate self-reported medication cravings. Participants will complete the scale, before and after receiving the visit drug treatment. Changes in PCI scores (after minus before) will be compared between drugs (opioids vs. placebo vs. Carbidopa/Levodopa +naproxen).
Time Frame
3 weeks
Secondary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Differences in pain changes (NRS) across High and Low Misuse groups measured by the Current Opioid Misuse Measure (COMM).
Description
Current Opioid Misuse Measure (COMM) is a 17-item self-report measure of risk for aberrant medication-related behavior among persons with chronic pain who are prescribed opioids for pain. Participants will be divided into two groups: high COMM and low COMM. Changes in pain scores (after minus before) will be compared between COMM groups (high vs. low)
Time Frame
3 weeks
Title
Differences in withdrawal changes (PCI) across High and Low Misuse groups measured by the Current Opioid Misuse Measure (COMM).
Description
Current Opioid Misuse Measure (COMM) is a 17-item self-report measure of risk for aberrant medication-related behavior among persons with chronic pain who are prescribed opioids for pain. Participants will be divided into two groups: high COMM and low COMM. Changes in Withdrawal relief - PCI score (after minus before) will be compared between COMM groups (high vs. low).
Time Frame
3 weeks

10. Eligibility

Sex
All
Minimum Age & Unit of Time
18 Years
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: History of low back pain for a minimum of 6 months daily (prior to screening), meeting the Quebec Task Force Classification System symptom categories I-III; Male or female, age equal or greater than 18 years, with no racial/ethnic restrictions; Must be able to read and speak English and be willing to read and understand instructions as well as questionnaires; Must be in generally stable health; Must sign an informed consent document after a complete explanation of the study documenting that they understand the purpose of the study, procedures to be undertaken, possible benefits and potential risks, and are willing to participate; Must have, on average ≥ 4/10 units of pain intensity over the course of a 1-4 week period prior to the brain scanning visit; Must be willing to complete daily smartphone/computer eDiary ratings; Must be on regular opioid therapy or for at least 3 months prior to randomization which will be up to the clinical investigator's decision Must be on a short acting opioid therapy (anticipated duration of action < 6 hours) Exclusion Criteria: Low back pain associated with any systemic signs or symptoms, e.g., fever, chills; Other comorbid chronic pain or neurological conditions; Use of therapeutic doses of antidepressant medications at unstable doses (i.e., tricyclic depressants, SSRIs, SNRIs; low doses used for sleep may be allowed); Significant other unstable medical disease such as diabetes, congestive heart failure, coronary or peripheral vascular disease, chronic obstructive lung disease, or malignancy; Uncontrolled hypertension; Renal insufficiency;(correlated creatinine clearance < 40mL/min or serum creatinine ≥2) Daily use of high doses of opioids,, as defined as > 50mg morphine equivalent/day; Any medical condition that in the investigator's judgment may prevent the individual from completing the study or put the individual at undue risk; In the judgment of the investigator, unable or unwilling to follow protocol and instructions; Evidence of poor treatment compliance, in the judgment of the investigator; Intra-axial implants (e.g. spinal cord stimulators or pumps); All exclusion criteria for MR safety: any metallic implants, brain or skull abnormalities, tattoos on large body parts, and claustrophobia; Pregnancy, or inability to use an effective form of contraception in women of child-bearing age; An established diagnosis of diabetes (type 1 or type 2) Lactose intolerance History of an allergic reaction to naproxen or any NSAID; History of any untoward reaction to carbidopa/levodopa Use of a patch or long acting opioid therapy (e.g. anticipated duration of action > 6 hours)
Central Contact Person:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name or Official Title & Degree
Meghan Ford
Phone
312 503 4597
Email
meghan.ford@northwestern.edu
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name or Official Title & Degree
Elizabeth Yan
Phone
312 503 4597
Email
elizabeth.yan@northwestern.edu
Overall Study Officials:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Apkar V Apkarian, PhD
Organizational Affiliation
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Official's Role
Principal Investigator
Facility Information:
Facility Name
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
City
Chicago
State/Province
Illinois
ZIP/Postal Code
60611
Country
United States
Individual Site Status
Recruiting
Facility Contact:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Pain Studies
Phone
312-503-2886
Email
painstudies@northwestern.edu
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Apkar Apkarian, PhD

12. IPD Sharing Statement

Learn more about this trial

Project 1 Aim 2, Adaptations of the Brain in Chronic Pain With Opioid Exposure

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