Understanding how craving affects decision-making in opioid use disorder
Decision Neuroscience of Craving
This study is testing how cravings for opioids affect the choices people with opioid use disorder make when deciding what to buy, using brain scans to see what's happening in their minds during the process.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 160 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Piscataway, New Jersey) |
| Trial ID | NCT06440577 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates the relationship between craving and decision-making in individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD). It employs cognitive decision-making tasks to assess how much participants are willing to pay for consumer items or snack foods when experiencing cravings for opioids or specific snacks. The research aims to uncover the neural mechanisms that link craving with the valuation of choices, utilizing various audio-visual stimuli to evoke cravings during the decision-making process. Participants will be monitored using brain imaging techniques to analyze the activity patterns in regions associated with craving and value assignment.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and older who have a primary diagnosis of opioid use disorder and are receiving outpatient treatment.
Not a fit: Patients who are not fluent in English or have severe psychiatric or neurological conditions may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved treatment strategies for individuals with opioid use disorder by enhancing understanding of craving's impact on decision-making.
How similar studies have performed: While studies have explored craving and decision-making separately, this specific approach examining their interaction in opioid use disorder is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * At least 18 years of age * Willingness to follow study requirements, as evidenced by an ability to provide written informed consent and read, understand, and complete the study procedures * Minimum of 6th grade reading level Additional inclusion criteria for participants with OUD: * Primary diagnosis of OUD encompassing heroin and/or painkiller use * Receiving medications for OUD treatment on an outpatient basis * At least 12-month history of opioid use Exclusion Criteria: * Unable to speak or read English * Active psychosis or mania * Current or past schizophrenia diagnosis * History of intellectual disability or developmental or neurological disorder, seizures or epilepsy, or loss consciousness lasting more than 30 minutes * Severe medical conditions requiring hospitalization or that, in the opinion of the study staff could compromise study participation * MRI contraindications (claustrophobia, nonremovable piercings, certain metal in the body etc.) or pregnancy Additional exclusion criteria for community control participants: * Positive urine drug screen * Current or past problematic substance use other than nicotine, and alcohol abuse confined to college or military service * Current or past bipolar disorder diagnosis * Use of central nervous system medications within the past 6 weeks (e.g., antidepressants, Ritalin)
Where this trial is running
Piscataway, New Jersey
- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey — Piscataway, New Jersey, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Anna Konova, PhD — Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
- Study coordinator: Anna Konova, PhD
- Email: anna.konova@rutgers.edu
- Phone: 732-235-4335
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.