Using EEG to find brain signal markers for opioid use disorder diagnosis and prediction

Developing EEG Biomarkers for OUD Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Predictive Purposes

This study will test whether EEG brain recordings can serve as biomarkers to help diagnose and predict outcomes for adults with opioid use disorder compared with age-matched controls.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 70 (estimated)
• Ages: 22 Years to 85 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of Illinois at Chicago (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Chicago, Illinois)
• Trial ID: NCT07085351 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is an observational feasibility study recruiting up to 130 participants with the intent to enroll about 50 adults with opioid use disorder (OUD) and 20 age-matched non-OUD controls. Participants complete a phone screen, provide informed consent, undergo urine toxicology, and have EEG recordings collected to search for diagnostic, prognostic, and treatment-predictive signals. Data will be analyzed to identify EEG features that correlate with OUD status, craving, and treatment stage while excluding participants with confounding neurological conditions or recent antiepileptic drug changes. The project is conducted at the Clinical & Imaging Research Outcomes Lab under oversight from the University of Illinois at Chicago with NIDA collaboration.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults 22–85 years old who live locally, can provide informed consent, and either have DSM-5–defined OUD of more than six months with a positive urine toxicology and ongoing craving or are age-matched controls without OUD.

Not a fit: Patients recently started on antiepileptic drugs, with a history of major neurological disorders or significant head injury, or who cannot complete local in-person visits are unlikely to be eligible or benefit from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, validated EEG biomarkers could provide objective tests to help personalize treatment, predict relapse risk, and speed development of new therapies for OUD.

How similar studies have performed: Prior research has shown promising EEG correlates of addiction and craving but EEG biomarkers for OUD are not yet validated for clinical use, so this work builds on preliminary evidence rather than established clinical tests.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* For OUD Subjects:

  1. Providing informed consent to participate in the study.
  2. 22 to 85 years old.

Having a diagnosis of OUD

• OUD of more than 6 months duration as defined by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) \[71\] with a positive urine toxicology screen who still feel craving.

4\. Lives in immediate area with no plans to relocate.

For age-matched controls:

1. Providing informed consent to participate in the study.
2. 22 to 85 years old.
3. Lives in immediate area with no plans to relocate

Exclusion Criteria:

* For OUD Subjects:

  1. Recently started on antiepileptic drug therapy.
  2. Ingestion of poppy seeds or herbal teas containing Papaveris fructus (may cause a positive opiate test for morphine, codeine \[72,73\]).
  3. History of neurological disorders involving stroke, brain tumors, or epilepsy as self- reported.
  4. History of unexplained fainting spells as self-reported.
  5. History of head injury resulting in more than a momentary loss of consciousness as self-reported.
  6. History of brain surgery as self-reported.
  7. Suffering from severe depression.
  8. Active malignancy.

For age-matched controls:

1. Recently started on antiepileptic drug therapy.
2. History of neurological disorders involving stroke, brain tumors, or epilepsy as self- reported.
3. History of unexplained fainting spells as self-reported.
4. History of head injury resulting in more than a momentary loss of consciousness as self-reported.
5. History of brain surgery as self-reported.
6. Suffering from severe depression.
7. Active malignancy.

Where this trial is running

Chicago, Illinois

• Clinical & Imaging Research Outcomes Lab — Chicago, Illinois, United States (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Aksarapak Hengyotmark, MD

Conditions: Opiod Use Disorder, opioid use disorder, EEG