Effects of Diacetylmorphine (DAM) on Brain Function and Stress Response
Recruitment status was Recruiting
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Purpose
Background: Heroin dependence (HD) is a chronic relapsing brain disorder that is defined by a compulsion to seek and use heroin, and a loss of control in limiting intake. Stress is a key factor for relapse in heroin-dependent patients. The prescription of diacetylmorphine (heroin) itself for maintenance has become an established treatment in several European countries. However, the neurobiological effects of diacetylmorphine (DAM) on brain function and stress response have not been studied so far. Imaging the acute effects of DAM administration during stress stimuli would elucidate the neurocircuitry and neurobiology of substance use in patients with HD.
Working hypothesis: The investigators expect that DAM attenuates the engagement of brain regions involved in response inhibition (prefrontal and anterior cingulate cortex), emotional processing (amygdala) and working memory (frontal and mediotemporal cortex). Additionally, we hypothesize that DAM reduces stress response (cortisol, heart rate, skin conductance) to emotional and cognitive stimuli, especially in patients with HD and concomitant borderline personality disorder traits.
Specific aims: To investigate the effect of DAM on brain using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), coupled with measurements of cortisol concentrations and neurophysiological stress parameters during the presentation of emotional and cognitive stimuli in patients with HD.
Methods: Thirty heroin-dependent patients on stable heroin maintenance will be examined in a randomized placebo-controlled crossover design. They will be compared with 30 heroin-dependent age- and gender-matched but otherwise healthy volunteers receiving saline. The heroin-dependent patients will administer either their individual dose of prescribed DAM dose or saline through an indwelling intravenous line. Afterwards they will complete four experimental paradigms testing response inhibition, emotional processing and working memory while brain responses are measured with fMRI. Before and after the fMRI investigation cortisol samples, DAM blood levels, neurophysiological and psychological stress parameters, such as skin conductance, heart rate, anxiety, anger, and heroin craving will be measured.
Expected value of the proposed project: DAM effects on brain function and stress will advance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying HD. It is the first neuroimaging study investigating the neural basis of HD after intravenous DAM administration in humans.
Determining the neurofunctional and neurophysiological basis of heroin dependence may facilitate clinical diagnosis and improve clinical interventions such as prevention and treatment.
| Condition | Intervention | Phase |
|---|---|---|
|
Diacetylmorphine Drug Effects Physiological Stress Response Brain Function |
Drug: diacetylmorphine |
Phase 1 Phase 2 |
| Study Type: | Interventional |
| Study Design: | Allocation: Randomized Endpoint Classification: Pharmacokinetics Study Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment Masking: Single Blind (Subject) Primary Purpose: Diagnostic |
| Official Title: | The Effects of Diacetylmorphine (Heroin) on Human Brain Functions and Stress Response |
- brain functions [ Time Frame: 1 hour ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]
- stress response [ Time Frame: pre and post stress measurements ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]
| Estimated Enrollment: | 30 |
| Study Start Date: | March 2010 |
| Estimated Study Completion Date: | February 2012 |
| Estimated Primary Completion Date: | November 2010 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure) |
| Arms | Assigned Interventions |
|---|---|
| Experimental: diacetylmorphine, saline |
Drug: diacetylmorphine
The heroin-dependent patients will administer either their individual dose of prescribed DAM dose or saline through an indwelling intravenous line. Afterwards they will complete four experimental paradigms testing response inhibition, emotional processing and working memory while brain responses are measured with fMRI. Before and after the fMRI investigation cortisol samples, DAM blood levels, neurophysiological and psychological stress parameters, such as skin conductance, heart rate, anxiety, anger, and heroin craving will be measured.
|
Eligibility| Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Genders Eligible for Study: | Both |
| Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria:
- opioid dependence
Exclusion Criteria:
- other psychiatric disorders
Contacts and Locations| Switzerland | |
| UPK | Recruiting |
| Basel, Switzerland, 4025 | |
| Contact: Hana Gerber, MA 061 325 56 86 hana.gerber@upkbs.ch | |
| Principal Investigator: Marc Walter, MD | |
| Sub-Investigator: Hana Gerber, MA | |
| Principal Investigator: | Marc Walter, MD | UPK, University Hospital Basel |
More Information
Additional Information:
No publications provided
| Responsible Party: | Universitätre Psychiatrische Kliniken UPK Basel: Switzerland |
| ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT01174927 History of Changes |
| Other Study ID Numbers: | DAM2010_01, SNF127544 |
| Study First Received: | August 2, 2010 |
| Last Updated: | August 3, 2010 |
| Health Authority: | Switzerland: Swissmedic |
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
|
Heroin Analgesics, Opioid Analgesics Sensory System Agents Peripheral Nervous System Agents Physiological Effects of Drugs |
Pharmacologic Actions Central Nervous System Agents Therapeutic Uses Central Nervous System Depressants Narcotics |
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on May 16, 2013