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Pharmacotherapy and Mechanisms of Sleep Disturbance in Alcohol Dependence (MA)

Primary Purpose

Alcohol Dependence, Insomnia

Status
Completed
Phase
Not Applicable
Locations
United States
Study Type
Interventional
Intervention
Placebo dispensed to subject.
Gabapentin dispensed to subject.
Sponsored by
Dr. Kirk Brower
About
Eligibility
Locations
Arms
Outcomes
Full info

About this trial

This is an interventional other trial for Alcohol Dependence focused on measuring Alcoholism, Alcohol dependence, Insomnia, Dim light melatonin onset, Gabapentin

Eligibility Criteria

18 Years - 65 Years (Adult, Older Adult)All SexesAccepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Meet DSM-IV criteria for alcohol dependence (as confirmed by the SCID)
  • Between 3 and 12 weeks since last drink (as measured by the TLFB)
  • At least 2 weeks since last detoxification medication, if relevant
  • An alcohol withdrawal rating score < 8 (as measured by the CIWA-Ar) to rule out acute alcohol withdrawal effects on sleep.
  • Expresses a desire to stop drinking or a willingness to abstain from alcohol and/or other drugs of abuse (except nicotine) during the course of the study

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Subjects who meet DSM-IV criteria for dependence on any psychoactive substance other than alcohol (except nicotine) in the past 3 months (per SCID interview).
  • Subjects with a current (past 1 month) DSM-IV diagnosis of panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, major depression, anorexia nervosa, or bulimia nervosa (per SCID interview) and/or that require ongoing psychotropic medication.
  • Subjects who have a lifetime diagnosis meeting DSM-IV criteria for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, delusional (paranoid) disorders, or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
  • Urine drug screen positive for amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cocaine, marijuana, or opioids. (If positive, subjects have one opportunity to test negative after a week of abstinence).
  • Medical disorders or pain syndromes that may affect sleep; history of head trauma with loss of consciousness; history of seizures (except alcohol-related seizures).
  • Subjects with elevated renal tests (blood urea nitrogen or creatinine), because gabapentin is renally eliminated, or elevated liver transaminases (>3X normal), or abnormal thyroid tests as thyroid problems can affect sleep.
  • Sleep disorders other than insomnia such as sleep apnea/hypopnea index >10 per hour or periodic limb movement disorder; PLM>15 movements per hour with arousals.
  • Taking medications known to affect sleep (e.g., antidepressants, anticonvulsants, centrally acting antihistamines, neuroleptics, sedative-hypnotics, stimulants, centrally acting antihypertensives [alpha-methyldopa, reserpine, clonidine], oral corticosteroids, and theophylline within the past 2 weeks or 5 weeks for fluoxetine).
  • Subjects taking medications used to treat addiction (e.g., disulfiram, naltrexone or acamprosate) are excluded because of unknown effects on sleep.
  • Subjects who do evening or midnight shift work. (Subjects who have traveled across multiple time zones in the previous two weeks will be included only at the discretion of the P.I.)
  • Pregnancy, breast feeding, or inadequate contraception in women of child-bearing potential.
  • Subjects who are unable or unlikely to follow the study protocol in the investigator 's opinion, because of cognitive deficits (Mini-Mental State Exam score < 27), a personality disorder, a serious suicide risk, dangerousness to others, illiteracy, or unstable or distant living situation.
  • Subjects with a known allergy, hypersensitivity or contraindication to study medication.

Sites / Locations

  • University of Michigan Health System

Arms of the Study

Arm 1

Arm 2

Arm Type

Placebo Comparator

Active Comparator

Arm Label

Placebo

Gabapentin

Arm Description

After 3 nights in the UM sleep lab and randomization, this arm receives placebo for one week. They then return to the sleep lab for the same procedures.

After spending 3 baseline nights in the UM sleep lab, alcohol dependent subjects are randomized. This arm receives gabapentin . On nights 1 and 2 of medication, the dose is 600 mg by mouth 30 min before bedtime. On nights 3-10, the dose is 1200 mg by mouth 30 min before bedtime. On nights 8-10 of medication, subjects return to the UM sleep lab and complete 3 sleep nights with the same procedures. On night 11, the dose is reduced to 600 mg by mouth 30 min before bedtime, and then stopped.

Outcomes

Primary Outcome Measures

Percentage of Total Sleep Time in Stage 2 Sleep Pre- and Post-study Medication (Stage 2 Percent)
Electrophysiological measures of sleep stages: percent of total sleep time in stage 2 sleep
Wake Time After Sleep Onset (WASO) Measured in Sleep Laboratory Recordings Pre- and Post- Study Medication
Wake time after sleep onset (WASO) (number of minutes awake throughout the night after initial sleep onset)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Relapse to Any Drinking
Relapse to any drinking is counted as participants who drank any beverage alcohol from end of sleep laboratory study (night 10) to twelve weeks later

Full Information

First Posted
November 16, 2009
Last Updated
October 31, 2017
Sponsor
Dr. Kirk Brower
Collaborators
National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
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1. Study Identification

Unique Protocol Identification Number
NCT01014533
Brief Title
Pharmacotherapy and Mechanisms of Sleep Disturbance in Alcohol Dependence
Acronym
MA
Official Title
This is a Study Exploring the Reasons Why People With Alcohol Dependence Have Sleep Disturbances, and Whether or Not a Study Medication, Gabapentin, vs. Placebo, Affects Those Sleep Patterns.
Study Type
Interventional

2. Study Status

Record Verification Date
October 2017
Overall Recruitment Status
Completed
Study Start Date
May 2007 (Actual)
Primary Completion Date
September 2011 (Actual)
Study Completion Date
September 2011 (Actual)

3. Sponsor/Collaborators

Responsible Party, by Official Title
Sponsor-Investigator
Name of the Sponsor
Dr. Kirk Brower
Collaborators
National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

4. Oversight

Data Monitoring Committee
Yes

5. Study Description

Brief Summary
Insomnia and other sleep abnormalities are common, persistent, and associated with relapse in alcohol-dependent patients. The overall, long-term objectives of the proposed research are to investigate the neurophysiologic mechanisms of sleep disturbance that are associated with relapse in patients with alcohol dependence, and to target those mechanisms with medication in order to reduce relapse risk. The specific research aims are: To investigate three potential mechanisms of sleep disturbance in alcoholic patients: impaired sleep drive, impaired circadian regulation of alertness, and brain hyperactivation; To investigate short-term effects of medication on sleep and its regulatory mechanisms in alcoholics; To investigate the short-term clinical course of alcoholism as a function of baseline sleep parameters. In Study Phases I & II (Screening & Baseline: 10+ days), subjects are assessed to diagnose alcohol dependence, determine baseline values for drinking and sleeping, and rule out confounding sleep-impairing causes. Phase III (Medication: 10 days), is a randomized, double-blind parallel design comparison of gabapentin vs. placebo on mechanisms of sleep. It is not a therapeutic or clinical trial. Phases II & III each have 7 days of monitoring sleep and activity, followed by 3 nights in the University of Michigan (UM) sleep laboratory to assess all-night EEG activity and Dim-Light Melatonin Onset (DLMO), a measure of circadian rhythm. Phase IV is a 2-day medication taper and Phase V (Follow-up) consists of one visit or telephone call after 12 weeks to assess course of drinking. In summary, sleep disturbance in alcoholic patients increases their risk of relapse. This study proposes to investigate the mechanisms causing sleep disturbance in alcoholics and to determine if those mechanisms predict return to drinking after 12 weeks. Relevance: Alcoholism is a devastating chronic disorder that in any one year affects 10% of adults, costs over $185 billion, and causes more than 100,000 deaths in the U.S. Despite treatment, most alcoholic patients achieve only short-term abstinence. Medically-based treatment improvements are needed that target neurophysiologic mechanisms of relapse. Overall public health will be improved by developing science-based treatments that can augment existing, but only partially effective, treatment approaches.

6. Conditions and Keywords

Primary Disease or Condition Being Studied in the Trial, or the Focus of the Study
Alcohol Dependence, Insomnia
Keywords
Alcoholism, Alcohol dependence, Insomnia, Dim light melatonin onset, Gabapentin

7. Study Design

Primary Purpose
Other
Study Phase
Not Applicable
Interventional Study Model
Parallel Assignment
Masking
ParticipantInvestigator
Allocation
Randomized
Enrollment
59 (Actual)

8. Arms, Groups, and Interventions

Arm Title
Placebo
Arm Type
Placebo Comparator
Arm Description
After 3 nights in the UM sleep lab and randomization, this arm receives placebo for one week. They then return to the sleep lab for the same procedures.
Arm Title
Gabapentin
Arm Type
Active Comparator
Arm Description
After spending 3 baseline nights in the UM sleep lab, alcohol dependent subjects are randomized. This arm receives gabapentin . On nights 1 and 2 of medication, the dose is 600 mg by mouth 30 min before bedtime. On nights 3-10, the dose is 1200 mg by mouth 30 min before bedtime. On nights 8-10 of medication, subjects return to the UM sleep lab and complete 3 sleep nights with the same procedures. On night 11, the dose is reduced to 600 mg by mouth 30 min before bedtime, and then stopped.
Intervention Type
Drug
Intervention Name(s)
Placebo dispensed to subject.
Intervention Description
Placebo for 11 days, (one pill at bedtime on nights 1 and 2, 2 pills at bedtime on nights 3-10, and 1 pill at bedtime on night 11, then D/C). They return to the Sleep Lab for polysomnography on nights 8 - 10 of medication so their sleep data can be compared.
Intervention Type
Drug
Intervention Name(s)
Gabapentin dispensed to subject.
Other Intervention Name(s)
Neurontin is the brand name for Gabapentin.
Intervention Description
After spending 3 baseline nights in the UM Sleep Lab, alcohol dependent subjects are randomized to receive either gabapentin or placebo for 11 days. (1 pill (600 mg) at bedtime on nights 1 and 2, 2 pills (totalling 1200 mg) at bedtime on nights 3-10, and 1 pill (600 mg) at bedtime on night 11, then D/C). On nights 8 - 10 of medication, subjects return to the lab and sleep 3 more nights with the same procedures.
Primary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Percentage of Total Sleep Time in Stage 2 Sleep Pre- and Post-study Medication (Stage 2 Percent)
Description
Electrophysiological measures of sleep stages: percent of total sleep time in stage 2 sleep
Time Frame
1 week
Title
Wake Time After Sleep Onset (WASO) Measured in Sleep Laboratory Recordings Pre- and Post- Study Medication
Description
Wake time after sleep onset (WASO) (number of minutes awake throughout the night after initial sleep onset)
Time Frame
1 week
Secondary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Relapse to Any Drinking
Description
Relapse to any drinking is counted as participants who drank any beverage alcohol from end of sleep laboratory study (night 10) to twelve weeks later
Time Frame
12 weeks

10. Eligibility

Sex
All
Minimum Age & Unit of Time
18 Years
Maximum Age & Unit of Time
65 Years
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Meet DSM-IV criteria for alcohol dependence (as confirmed by the SCID) Between 3 and 12 weeks since last drink (as measured by the TLFB) At least 2 weeks since last detoxification medication, if relevant An alcohol withdrawal rating score < 8 (as measured by the CIWA-Ar) to rule out acute alcohol withdrawal effects on sleep. Expresses a desire to stop drinking or a willingness to abstain from alcohol and/or other drugs of abuse (except nicotine) during the course of the study Exclusion Criteria: Subjects who meet DSM-IV criteria for dependence on any psychoactive substance other than alcohol (except nicotine) in the past 3 months (per SCID interview). Subjects with a current (past 1 month) DSM-IV diagnosis of panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, major depression, anorexia nervosa, or bulimia nervosa (per SCID interview) and/or that require ongoing psychotropic medication. Subjects who have a lifetime diagnosis meeting DSM-IV criteria for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, delusional (paranoid) disorders, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Urine drug screen positive for amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cocaine, marijuana, or opioids. (If positive, subjects have one opportunity to test negative after a week of abstinence). Medical disorders or pain syndromes that may affect sleep; history of head trauma with loss of consciousness; history of seizures (except alcohol-related seizures). Subjects with elevated renal tests (blood urea nitrogen or creatinine), because gabapentin is renally eliminated, or elevated liver transaminases (>3X normal), or abnormal thyroid tests as thyroid problems can affect sleep. Sleep disorders other than insomnia such as sleep apnea/hypopnea index >10 per hour or periodic limb movement disorder; PLM>15 movements per hour with arousals. Taking medications known to affect sleep (e.g., antidepressants, anticonvulsants, centrally acting antihistamines, neuroleptics, sedative-hypnotics, stimulants, centrally acting antihypertensives [alpha-methyldopa, reserpine, clonidine], oral corticosteroids, and theophylline within the past 2 weeks or 5 weeks for fluoxetine). Subjects taking medications used to treat addiction (e.g., disulfiram, naltrexone or acamprosate) are excluded because of unknown effects on sleep. Subjects who do evening or midnight shift work. (Subjects who have traveled across multiple time zones in the previous two weeks will be included only at the discretion of the P.I.) Pregnancy, breast feeding, or inadequate contraception in women of child-bearing potential. Subjects who are unable or unlikely to follow the study protocol in the investigator 's opinion, because of cognitive deficits (Mini-Mental State Exam score < 27), a personality disorder, a serious suicide risk, dangerousness to others, illiteracy, or unstable or distant living situation. Subjects with a known allergy, hypersensitivity or contraindication to study medication.
Overall Study Officials:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Kirk J Brower, M.D.
Organizational Affiliation
University of Michigan
Official's Role
Principal Investigator
Facility Information:
Facility Name
University of Michigan Health System
City
Ann Arbor
State/Province
Michigan
ZIP/Postal Code
48109
Country
United States

12. IPD Sharing Statement

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Pharmacotherapy and Mechanisms of Sleep Disturbance in Alcohol Dependence

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