Methadone Induced Memory Retrieval-extinction Procedure in Heroin Addicts

National Institute on Drug Dependence, China

Status: Completed

Conditions: Heroin Dependence

Treatments: Behavioral: methadone induced memory retrieval-extinction procedure

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04133974

NIDD12035

Details and patient eligibility

About

The study assessed the efficacy of a methadone-induced memory retrieval-extinction procedure on heroin craving and relapse. Male participants aged 18-55 years old and prescribed MMT to treat heroin dependence were included in the present study, and randomly assigned to receive methadone, or receive methadone plus 10 minutes plus extinction, or receive methadone plus 6 hours plus extinction. The intervention persisted 3 times per week for 4 weeks. Then the subjects were followed up once a month for cue induced heroin craving and relapse.

Full description

In the present study, we explored the effect retrieval-extinction procedure on heroin craving and relapse in heroin addicts using the methadone (a commonly used µ-opioid receptor agonist) instead of heroin as the trigger to reactivate drug memories. The subjects were randomly divided into 3 groups, in which they received methadone alone or extinction sessions 10 min or 6 hours after methadone administration. The extinction sessions were given 3 times per week for 4 weeks, each lasted for 30 min. During the extinction procedure, the subjects were exposed to images, heroin paraphernalia and mimic heroin. Subjective craving, morphine urine test and physiological responses were recorded monthly for 4 months.

Enrollment: 87 patients

Sex: Male

Ages: 18 to 55 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• met the diagnostic criteria of heroin dependence according to DSM-IV
• were prescribed methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) and took it regularly
• no change in city of residence for at least 1 year
• had normal blood pressure and heart rate
• had negative urine morphine screening test
• primary-school level education
• provide signed consent

Exclusion criteria

• other substance abuse(except nicotine)
• had a current or past history of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition（DSM-IV) AxisⅠdisorders
• had clinically evident physical disorders
• neurological signs and/or history of neurological disease
• noncompliance with the procedure

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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87 participants in 3 patient groups

Methadone

No Intervention group

Description:

The subjects take methadone as usual.

Methadone-10min-Extinction

Experimental group

Description:

The subjects were given extinction training 10 min following methadone administration.

Treatment:

Behavioral: methadone induced memory retrieval-extinction procedure

Methadone-6h-Extinction

Sham Comparator group

Description:

The subjects were given extinction training 6h following methadone administration.

Treatment:

Behavioral: methadone induced memory retrieval-extinction procedure