Active clinical trials for "Cocaine-Related Disorders"

The purpose of this study is to examine the role of progesterone (a hormone found in both men and women) on stopping cocaine use. The study will examine whether the medication, in combination with behavior therapy will decrease cocaine use, cigarette smoking, withdrawal symptoms, impulsivity and stress.

High relapse rates among substance dependent individuals are likely due to a combination of factors that involve limbic circuits in the brain involved in craving, including vulnerability to salient cues. Emerging data suggests that non-invasive, targeted brain stimulation may be able to modulate activity in these circuits and decrease craving. The primary goal of this pilot study is to determine the extent to which a single session of continuous theta burst stimulation to the medial prefrontal cortex can attenuate limbic circuitry involved in craving among cocaine users and alcohol users. This will be tested through a double-blind,sham-controlled brain stimulation and brain imaging study in a cohort of polysubstance abusers and alcohol users.

This study will determine the influence of topiramate (Topamax®) and phentermine (Adipex®), alone and in combination, on the reinforcing, subjective and physiological effects of cocaine.

The goal of this study is to use [C-11]NPA and amphetamine (oral, 0.5 mg/kg) to measure striatal dopamine transmission in prenatal cocaine exposed subjects (PCE) and comparison subjects (COMP)

Stress is associated with drug craving and relapse in substance-dependent individuals. Hormones released from the brain may mediate the behavioral response to stress. For example, several studies have indicated that oxytocin reduces stress in laboratory stress paradigms. Specifically, it appears that oxytocin promotes trust, social interaction, and calmness; yet, little is known about the potential affects of oxytocin in cocaine-dependent individuals. Given these properties of oxytocin, it may have a therapeutic role in ameliorating the negative affect commonly observed prior to relapse in cocaine-dependent individuals, as well as the anxiety associated with withdrawal. This pilot protocol will provide important preliminary data on the effect of oxytocin on stress in cocaine-dependent individuals.

The purposes of this study are as follows: 1. To assess the cardiovascular and subjective effects of cocaine during treatment with pramipexole and placebo. 2. To assess the reinforcing effects of cocaine, measured using choice procedures, during treatment with pramipexole and placebo.

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between 5-HT2R function, impulsivity and cue reactivity in cocaine dependent subjects and healthy controls and examine specific effects of escitalopram and mirtazapine on impulsivity and cue reactivity in human cocaine users.

Cocaine dependence is a chronic, relapsing disorder in which stress/negative mood and exposure to drug-related stimuli or "cues" are associated with high rates of relapse (McKay et al., 1995; O'Brien et al., 1998; R. Sinha, 2001; Shaham et al., 2003). In particular, sex differences in relapse precipitants have been noted, with women reporting greater stress related relapses while men report higher number of relapses associated with drug cue/temptation situations (Lex, 1991; McKay et al., 1996; R. Sinha, 2001; R. Sinha, Rounsaville BJ, 2002). Current SCOR studies have shown that stress and cocaine cues increase drug craving and stress related arousal, responses that differ in cocaine men and women (R. Sinha et al., 2003; H.C. Fox et al., 2005a). Furthermore, stress-induced cocaine craving and HPA responses are predictive of cocaine relapse, which is also moderated by gender (R. Sinha et al., 2006). However, no previous research has examined the basis of sex differences in stress and cue induced craving and arousal, both of which are known to increase relapse susceptibility. Greater knowledge of the sex-specific neurobiology of cocaine dependence will facilitate development of gender-specific cocaine relapse prevention efforts. Growing evidence supports a role for gonadal hormones in explaining the sex differences observed in stress responses as well as in the behavioral responses to cocaine (Festa & Quinones-Jenab, 2004; K. Carroll, Fenton LR, Ball SA, Nich C, Frankforter TL, Shi J, Rounsaville BJ, 2004; Lynch, 2006; Kajanti & Phillips, 2006). Estrogen increases behavioral responses to cocaine, while presence of progesterone decreases subjective and behavioral effects of cocaine, more so in females than males (Jackson et al., 2006; Sofuogu et al., 1999; M. Sofuoglu et al., 2002; Evans & Foltin, 2006). Stress and cocaine each enhance brain stress circuits, namely the corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF)-hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and central noradrenergic/sympatho-adrenomedullary (SAM) pathways and both activate the mesolimbic dopaminergic systems involved in the rewarding effects of cocaine (ADD REFS). Exposure to Stress, cocaine or cocaine cues will each increase cocaine craving and HPA axis responses. Importantly, progesterone which affects behavioral responses to cocaine, also plays a key role in stress regulation. However, it is not known whether progesterone alters stress-induced and drug cue-induced craving and related stress arousal, markers that predict cocaine relapse outcomes. Our preliminary data suggest that women exposed to stress and to drug cues in the laboratory during the luteal phase (high progesterone) show lower stress induced and drug cue-induced craving, anxiety and cortisol responses compared to those in the late follicular phase (high estrogen) (see preliminary Studies section CX). On the basis of this previous research, we propose a double-blind placebo controlled study of to examine progesterone's effects on stress and cue-related responses in cocaine dependent men and women. We hypothesize that high dose of progesterone (200 mg bid) vs. placebo will alter stress-induced cocaine craving, negative affect, physiological and HPA responses to stress, and these changes will be greater in women than men.

Contingency management (CM) is a demonstrably efficacious intervention for substance abuse and dependence. Although CM protocols have employed a variety of reinforcers, they have almost exclusively relied upon non-cash privileges (e.g., take-home methadone doses), prizes, or vouchers that can be exchanged for goods or services. Despite the strong empirical support for CM, our research suggests that concerns relating to its cost and safety (e.g., potential for harm caused by rewards undermining intrinsic motivation or being sold to purchase drugs) have hindered its transfer to real-world practice. The exclusive use of non-cash CM likely stems from the untested assumption that clients will use cash incentives to buy drugs or engage in other high-risk behaviors. This assumption is problematic for two reasons. First, the use of non-cash incentives may add substantial costs and complexity to CM protocols. Second, the use of non-cash incentives may reduce the efficacy of CM interventions, as research suggests that cash may be a more effective reinforcer than vouchers. This study examines both practical and ethical issues relating to cash-based CM procedures. This study consists of three phases; a main experiment, a "Cash Bowl" pilot, and a "Thinning" Pilot.

This project will evaluate the role of the 5-HT2CR:5-HT2AR balance in impulsive action and cue reactivity in cocaine-dependent subjects as compared to non-drug using controls.