Using focused ultrasound to treat opioid and substance use disorders

A Feasibility Clinical Trial of Exablate for Low Intensity Focused Ultrasound Neuromodulation in Patients With Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and/or Other Substance Abuse Disorders (SUDs)

This study is testing whether a new ultrasound treatment can help people with opioid and substance use disorders feel better and manage their conditions safely.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 29 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 60 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: InSightec (Industry-sponsored)
• Locations: 4 sites (Tampa, Florida and 3 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT04197921 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial investigates the use of Low Intensity Focused Ultrasound (LIFU) with the Exablate Model 4000 as a neuromodulatory treatment for patients with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and other Substance Use Disorders (SUDs). The study aims to assess the safety and tolerability of this innovative approach in individuals who have been diagnosed with these conditions. Participants will be receiving outpatient treatment and must meet specific criteria related to their substance use history and current treatment regimen.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are males and non-pregnant females aged 18 to 60 who meet DSM-5 criteria for OUD or other SUDs and are currently receiving outpatient treatment.

Not a fit: Patients who are not currently receiving treatment for substance use disorders or those outside the specified age range may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could provide a novel, non-invasive option for managing opioid and substance use disorders.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of focused ultrasound in this context is relatively novel, similar neuromodulatory approaches have shown promise in other studies.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Males and non-pregnant females, age 18 - 60 years old
2. Subject meets DSM-5 criteria for OUD and/or other SUDs including alcohol (assessed via the SCID-5) of at least two years duration
3. Subject is currently receiving outpatient treatment from the WVU Comprehensive Opioid Addiction Treatment Program (COAT), Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) or any other program which implements the COAT model; residential or inpatient treatment from the WVU Center for Hope and Healing or an affiliated WVU hospital; or receiving outpatient/inpatient/residential treatment from similar programs that are well known to the research team. If the subject is prescribed medication for AUD or OUD (e.g. buprenorphine-naloxone, naltrexone), they will be on a stable dose of the medication for the 7 days prior to the procedure. Stable is defined as within the therapeutic range but does not require same exact dose for 7 days.
4. Subject has been off opioids and other illicit substances, except for cannabis, confirmed via urine toxicology screen
5. The NAc is apparent on MRI such that treatment targeting can be performed directly (visible on MRI) and indirectly (using other anatomical structures for measurements)
6. Subject is able to communicate sensations during the Exablate Transcranial procedure
7. Subject is willing to cooperate with the study requirements including compliance with the regimen and completion of all study visits
8. Subject is able to make own medical decisions as determined by the clinical team
9. Subject has signed and received a copy of the approved informed consent form

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Subjects who are taking medications which may adversely interact with MOUD (See Appendix B for full list). Being on one of these medications would not automatically exclude a participant from study participation, does not automatically exclude a prospective subject from study participation. If a prospective or current subject is taking any medication listed in Appendix B, the study investigator is responsible for determining whether the subject is eligible for inclusion or continued study participation."
2. Subject with standard contraindications for MR imaging such as non-MRI compatible implanted metallic devices
3. Subject with known intolerance or allergies to the MRI contrast agent gadolinium (GADOVIST®)
4. Subject who are unable or unwilling to tolerate the required prolonged stationary position during treatment (approximately 2-3 hours)
5. More than 30% of the skull area traversed by the sonication pathway is covered by scars, scalp disorders (e.g., eczema), or atrophy of the scalp
6. Subject with implanted objects in the skull or the brain
7. Subject diagnosed with advanced kidney disease or on dialysis
8. Subject with impaired renal function with estimated glomerular filtration rate \<30 mL/min/1.73m2
9. Subject with known unstable cardiac status or severe hypertension including:

   1. Documented myocardial infarction within six months of enrollment
   2. Unstable angina on medication
   3. Unstable or worsening congestive heart failure
   4. Left ventricular ejection fraction below the lower limit of normal
   5. History of a hemodynamically unstable cardiac arrhythmia
   6. Cardiac pacemaker
   7. Severe hypertension (diastolic BP \> 100 on medication)
10. Subject with history of abnormal bleeding, hemorrhage, or coagulopathy
11. Subject receiving anticoagulant (e.g. warfarin) or antiplatelet (e.g. aspirin) therapy within one week of focused ultrasound procedure or drugs known to increase risk or hemorrhage (e.g. Avastin) within one month of focused ultrasound procedure
12. Abnormal coagulation profile (PLT \< 100,000/μl), PT (\>13.9 sec) or PTT (\>37.5 sec), and INR \> 1.2. If values are outside the range of normal limits, any clinically significant value may be excluded as determined by a study investigator.
13. Subject with cerebrovascular disease as determined by MRI according to the Fazekas criteria. Grades II and III on the Fazekas scale should be excluded
14. Past or present diagnosis of schizophrenia, psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, or untreated depression other than one determined to be substance induced (assessed via SCID-5)
15. Score of greater than 17 on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) or increased risk of suicide based on any positive response regarding passive or active suicidal ideation with or without intent over the past 3 months or lifetime history of active suicidal ideation with intent on the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) at baseline
16. History of suicide attempt
17. Parental history of completed suicide
18. Subject meet the criteria for Cluster A or B Personality Disorders (assessed via SCID-5-PD)
19. Diagnosis of dementia or any other disorder which has led to a clinically significant cognitive impairment (assessed via NIHTB-CB)
20. Subject with brain tumors
21. Subject with chronic pulmonary disorders e.g. severe emphysema, pulmonary vasculitis, or other causes of reduced pulmonary vascular cross-sectional area
22. Any known CNS infection or infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or Hepatitis C (HCV). A diagnosis of Hepatitis C (HCV) alone is not exclusionary as long as hepatic function laboratory values are deemed not clinically significant by a study investigator and are ≤ 1.5 times the upper limit of normal.
23. Subject who has had deep brain stimulation or a prior stereotactic ablation of the NAc, basal ganglia or thalamus
24. Subject who has been administered botulinum toxins into the arm, neck, or face for 5 months prior to baseline
25. Subject who is currently participating in another clinical investigation with an active treatment arm
26. Subject unwilling to abstain from illicit substance use during the course of the study
27. Subject is considered to be a poor surgical or study candidate, which may include, but is not limited to the following: any medical, social, or psychological problem that could complicate the required procedures and evaluations of the study in the judgment of the investigator
28. Subject is non-English speaking
29. Subject is pregnant or planning to be pregnant

Where this trial is running

Tampa, Florida and 3 other locations

• Tampa General Hospital — Tampa, Florida, United States (Not_yet_recruiting)
• University of Maryland, Baltimore — Baltimore, Maryland, United States (Recruiting)
• Weill Cornell Medicine — New York, New York, United States (Recruiting)
• West Virginia University: Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute — Morgantown, West Virginia, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Kingsley Nwaogu

Conditions Opioid-use Disorder; Substance Use Disorders