Effect of JNJ 31001074 on Urge to Drink in Alcohol-Dependent Adults

• The number of patients reporting adverse events as a measure of safety and tolerability [ Time Frame: Up to approximately 15 days ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Abnormal findings from eye exams performed as a measure of safety and tolerability [ Time Frame: Up to approximately 8-15 days ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Vital signs measurements as a measure of safety and tolerability [ Time Frame: Up to approximately 15 days ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Electrocardiograms as a measure of safety and tolerability [ Time Frame: Up to approximately 15 days ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Clinical Laboratory tests as a measure of safety and tolerability [ Time Frame: Up to approximately 8 days ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

The purpose of this study is to assess whether JNJ-31001074 taken for 7 days reduces the urge to drink alcohol in alcohol-dependent study participants who are not seeking treatment.

This study will evaluate whether JNJ 31001074 reduces the urge to drink alcohol in non treatment seeking, adult study participants with current alcohol dependence. Individuals who meet criteria for study participation will be randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups (tablets containing JNJ 31001074 or placebo tablets with no active ingredients) in a 1:1 ratio. Treatment group assignment will not be known by study participants or study staff. Baseline assessments will be recorded and participants will return to the clinic for testing on the last day of taking their assigned study medication for 7 days at home. Alcohol use is not allowed for 3 days prior to this end-of-dosing testing. During this test, their urge to drink alcohol and their mood will be measured while they view various computer images and then are presented with (but do not drink) either a favorite alcoholic beverage or water. Other measures will be collected during the study to evaluate the safety and tolerability of the study medication, including potential effects on sleep, as well as measures of thinking and cigarette smoking. Participants will return for a follow-up visit approximately 1 week after finishing the study medication and completing the clinic assessment above. Study participants will take one 3-mg tablet of JNJ-31001074 or matching placebo in the morning, preferably with food, for 7 days.

• Drug: JNJ-31001074
  Type=exact number, unit=mg, number=3, form=tablet, route=oral use. One tablet once daily for 7 days.
• Drug: Placebo
  Form=tablet, route=oral administration. One tablet once daily for 7 days.

• Experimental: JNJ-31001074
  Intervention: Drug: JNJ-31001074
• Placebo Comparator: Placebo
  Intervention: Drug: Placebo

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male or female
• Currently alcohol dependent but not seeking treatment
• Meets study criteria for amount of alcohol consumed
• Otherwise healthy
• Urge to drink increased by the presence of alcohol
• Able to complete and understand questionnaires and study procedures in English
• Willing and able to comply with the study requirements, including a 3-day period of alcohol abstinence and use of highly effective contraceptive methods
• Signed informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant or breast-feeding
• Significant medical or psychiatric conditions other than alcohol dependence
• History of, or at risk of, medically significant alcohol withdrawal syndrome
• Dependent on substances other than alcohol , nicotine or caffeine
• Smokes more than 1 pack of cigarettes per day or consumes more than 500 mg caffeine per day
• Has glaucoma, cataracts, a history of eye inflammation, eye injury, or eye surgery other than to correct vision
• Treatment in the past 1 month prior to screening with disulfiram (Antabuse), acamprosate (Campral), naltrexone (ReVia or Vivitrol), or topiramate (Topamax)
• In need of or currently taking any psychoactive medications