Pregnenolone for the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder

In this Phase 2 single-site randomized controlled trial (RCT), men and women with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) will be enrolled in a 12 week trial with a 1-month follow-up assessment. Participants will be randomly assigned to 300mg pregnenolone (PREG) treatment b.i.d., or Placebo (PBO). All participants will be assessed 2x weekly and also receive behavior counseling to support recovery. The study aims to examine a) the safety and tolerability; b) efficacy on alcohol use outcomes; and c) effects on alcohol craving, anxiety, depression and physical well-being of 300mg PREG vs. PBO in men and women with AUD over the 12-week treatment period and at the 1-month follow up post-treatment period.

Inclusion criteria

• Male and females, aged 18-70 years;
• Regular weekly use of alcohol at least 3X weekly or more at treatment entry;
• Must meet current DSM-5 criteria for moderate to severe Alcohol Use Disorders (AUDs) using SCID-I for DSM-5;
• No health conditions that would impact trial participation as verified by screening and physical examination and absence of any of the exclusion criterions outlined below;
• Able to read English and complete study evaluations;
• Able to provide informed written and verbal consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Meet current criteria for moderate to severe substance use disorders from use of any other psychoactive substance, excluding nicotine and cannabis use disorder;
• Current use of opioids;
• Regular use of anticonvulsants, sedatives or hypnotics, oral prescription analgesics (other than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), topiramate, baclofen;
• Regular use of steroidal supplements and steroid medications interacting with study medications based on clinical judgement of study physician (excluding hormonal contraceptives in women);
• Psychotic or otherwise severely psychiatrically disabled (i.e., suicidal, homicidal, current mania);
• Significant underlying medical conditions such as cerebral, renal, thyroid or cardiac pathology which in the opinion of study physician would preclude patient from fully cooperating or be of potential harm during the course of the study, but stable, prescribed anti-hypertensives. cardiovascular and diabetes medications will be allowed after review by study physician;
• Any psychotic disorder or current Axis I psychiatric disorders requiring specific acute attention, including need for psychiatric medications, but stable, prescribed antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication to treat co-occurring psychiatric disorders will be allowed;
• Women who are pregnant, nursing or refuse to use a reliable form of birth control (as assessed by urine pregnancy tests during initial medical evaluation, and assessed every two weeks during the course of the study).