N-acetylcysteine
DrugSubjects will be randomized to receive 2.4 oral n-acetylcysteine daily.
NCT Number: NCT05610072
The overarching hypotheses of this protocol are that (1) persistent brain glutamate changes induced by chronic opioid use will exacerbate use of cocaine during opioid physical dependence and withdrawal and (2) n-acetylcysteine (NAC) will ameliorate glutamatergic dysregulation, and thus will reduce both opioid and cocaine demand. These hypotheses will be tested with two specific aims.
Specific Aim 1. Determine the reinforcing effects of cocaine in individuals with comorbid opioid and cocaine use disorder with physiological dependence on opioids during NAC maintenance. All subjects will be maintained on oral hydromorphone. They will also be randomly assigned to receive placebo or oral NAC (2.4 g/day), stratified by sex. After dose stabilization, experimental sessions will be conducted in which subjects complete hypothetical cocaine purchase tasks during opioid maintenance and opioid withdrawal. The hypotheses are: 1) cocaine purchasing will be greater during opioid withdrawal and 2) NAC maintenance will attenuate cocaine purchasing across opioid maintenance and withdrawal periods.
Specific Aim 2. Evaluate glutamate functionality during periods of opioid maintenance and withdrawal in individuals with comorbid opioid and cocaine use disorder and physiological dependence on opioids during NAC maintenance. Subjects will undergo magnetic resonance spectroscopy to evaluate brain glutamate changes as a function of opioid maintenance/withdrawal state and NAC maintenance. The hypotheses are: 1) glutamate levels will be elevated during opioid withdrawal and 2) NAC maintenance will ameliorate elevated glutamate levels.
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Notify Me18 year–55 year
All sexes
Interventional
Early Phase 1
University of Kentucky Department of Behavioral Science, Lexington, Kentucky, United States
Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes
Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.
Inclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria
Subjects will be randomized to receive 2.4 oral n-acetylcysteine daily.
Subjects will receive up to 192 mg oral hydromorphone daily.
Subjects will be randomized to receive placebo n-acetylcysteine daily.
Prior to some experimental sessions, subjects will receive placebo hydromorphone
Time frame: After at least seven days of maintenance on n-acetylcysteine or placebo
Amount of opioids purchased on a hypothetical purchase task
Time frame: After at least seven days of maintenance on n-acetylcysteine or placebo
Amount of cocaine purchased on a hypothetical purchase task
Time frame: After at least seven days of maintenance on n-acetylcysteine or placebo
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy of brain glutamate levels
Time frame: After at least seven days of maintenance on n-acetylcysteine or placebo
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy of brain GABA levels
Time frame: After at least seven days of maintenance on n-acetylcysteine or placebo
Scores on a locally developed craving scale from 1-10, with higher scores indicating more craving
Time frame: After at least seven days of maintenance on n-acetylcysteine or placebo
Self-reported scores on the Subjective Opioid Withdrawal Scale with scores from 0-64, with higher scores indicating more withdrawal
Time frame: After at least seven days of maintenance on n-acetylcysteine or placebo
Self-reported scores on the Clinical Opioid Withdrawal Scale with scores from 0-48, with higher scores indicating more withdrawal
Time frame: Daily during approximately 10 day inpatient admission
Scores on the Udvalg Fur Kliniske Undersolgelser (UKU) side effects scale with scores from 0-3, with higher scores indicating greater side effects
Time frame: Daily during approximately 10 day inpatient admission
Measurement of pupil diameter using an automated scanner
Time frame: Daily during approximately 10 day inpatient admission
Measurement of heart rate using an automated monitor
Time frame: Daily during approximately 10 day inpatient admission
Measurement of respiration rate using an automated monitor
Time frame: Daily during approximately 10 day inpatient admission
Measurement of oxygen saturation using an automated monitor
Time frame: Daily during approximately 10 day inpatient admission
Measurement of diastolic blood pressure using an automated monitor
Time frame: Daily during approximately 10 day inpatient admission
Measurement of systolic blood pressure using an automated monitor
William Stoops
Other
Glutamatergic Mechanisms in Opioid and Cocaine Co-Use
Acronym: BED IN 43
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