Striatal Effective Connectivity to Predict Treatment Response in Cocaine Misuse

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 2

Conditions: Cocaine Dependence

Treatments: Drug: levodopa/carbidopa 400/100 BID

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT02080819

PT109865 (Other Identifier)

HM20000079

1R01DA034131 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Details and patient eligibility

About

This project proposes to investigate the role of brain connectivity in the mechanism of treatment response to dopaminergic medications in cocaine dependence.

Full description

This project will use stochastic DCM, which is a recent DCM extension that takes into account hidden fluctuations in neuronal and vascular responses, and thus is especially suited for investigating effects of disease or drugs. In addition, this project will use nonlinear DCM, a DCM extension that can measure gating effects by striatum on cortico-cortical pathways. The overall aims of this project are: (1) To conduct functional magnetic resonance imaging-based DCM studies of working memory and impulsivity in order to determine the effective (directional) connectivity between PFC and striatum in treatment-seeking Cocaine Dependent (CD) subjects compared to non-drug using controls. We hypothesize that DLPFC causally affects ventral striatum in CDs, and that the strength of this connection is lower in CDs compared to controls. (2) To determine whether the pretreatment gating effect by the dorsal striatum, as a reflection of pretreatment hypodopaminergic state associated with chronic compulsive drug use, predicts the treatment response to dopaminergic pharmacotherapy in CDs. We hypothesize that lower pretreatment gating by the dorsal striatum on prefrontal-parietal effective connectivity predicts greater 8-week improvement from treatment of CDs with DA enhancing medications (combined with cognitive behavioral therapy [CBT]), but not from treatment with placebo (combined with CBT).

Enrollment: 131 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 50 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Male and female subjects
• Age 18 to 50
• Meet current DSM-IV criteria for cocaine dependence who are seeking treatment.

Exclusion criteria

1. Current DSM-IV diagnosis of any psychoactive substance dependence other than cocaine, marijuana, nicotine, or alcohol
2. Have a DSM-IV axis I psychiatric disorder or neurological disease or disorder requiring ongoing treatment and/or making study participation unsafe
3. Significant current suicidal or homicidal ideation
4. Medical conditions contraindicating levodopa/carbidopa or pharmacotherapy (e.g., evidence of any movement disorder, clinically significant pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, liver or kidney disease, seizure disorder)
5. Taking CNS active concomitant medications
6. Taking medications known to have significant drug interactions with the study medication (e.g., CYP P-450-2D6 inhibitors, such as tamoxifen, iron salts, pyridoxine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, phenothiazines, selegiline, anesthetics)
7. Having conditions of probation or parole requiring reports of drug use to officers of the court
8. Impending incarceration
9. Pregnant or breast feeding for female patients
10. Inability to read, write, or speak English
11. Having plans to leave the immediate geographical area within 3 months
12. Unwillingness or not competent to sign a written informed consent form
13. Individuals who have pacemakers, metal or electromechanical implants or metallic foreign bodies
14. Patients who are known to be HIV positive will not be included due to possible CNS effects of HIV.
15. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms or history of significant previous alcohol withdrawal symptoms

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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131 participants in 3 patient groups, including a placebo group

Healthy Control

No Intervention group

Description:

Non drug using healthy controls

Placebo

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Placebo BID for 7 weeks

Treatment:

Drug: levodopa/carbidopa 400/100 BID

Medication

Experimental group

Description:

Levodopa/carbidopa 400/100 BID for 7 weeks

Treatment:

Drug: levodopa/carbidopa 400/100 BID