[C-11]NPA PET-amphetamine in Cocaine Use Disorders

[C-11]NPA PET-amphetamine in Cocaine Use Disorders (Aim 2)

This study uses [11C]NPA positron emission tomography (PET) and a d-amphetamine challenge to image amphetamine induced dopamine release in the striatum in subjects with cocaine use disorders (CUD). Amphetamine-induced dopamine release data from this study will be correlated with [11C]NOP-1A VT measured at baseline in the midbrain. [11C]NOP-1A PET data will be used from aim 1 (see, Study Record: Imaging CRF X NOP interactions in Cocaine Use Disorders)

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Cocaine Use Disorder
• Intervention / Treatment: Radiation: Baseline [C-11]NPA PET Scan; Drug: d-amphetamine; Radiation: Post-amphetamine [C-11]NPA PET Scan

Detailed Description

Cocaine use disorder (CUD) is a chronic disorder associated with numerous relapses and periods of abstinence.

Studies in CUD suggest that ~ 60 to 75% of abstinent addicts relapse over twelve months. Documenting specific neurochemical abnormalities that lead to relapse in individuals with CUD has the potential to accelerate the development of medications to prevent relapse. Basic investigations postulate an imbalance between brain stress and anti-stress/resilience systems as the underlying mechanism that drives negative reinforcement, craving, and relapse in addiction.. Nociceptin (N/OFQ), which binds to the nociceptive opioid peptide receptors (NOP) is a critical component of the brain's anti-stress system. N/OFQ exerts its anti-stress effect by counteracting the functional effects of the primary stress-promoting neuropeptide corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) in the brain. Studies have also shown that acute increases in CRF and stress are countered by increased NOP receptor expression (~ 10% ) in brain regions that regulate stress such as bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. PET studies with the NOP radiotracer [11C]NOP-1A show increased binding to NOP in CUD compared to HC. PET studies also show NOP receptors to upregulate (~ 15%) in response to an acute intravenous hydrocortisone challenge (1 mg/Kg). NOP upregulation may represent an adaptive mechanism in the brain to counteract stress-induced increases in cortisol and CRF. Here, we postulate a failure in this adaptive mechanism as a reason that leads to relapse in CUD. CUD subjects and HC will be studied with [11C]NOP-1A before and after an intravenous hydrocortisone challenge (aim 1). Hydrocortisone is used as a challenge because it increases cortisol and CRF in brain regions that regulate stress. We hypothesize that hydrocortisone-induced increases in [11C]NOP-1A binding (DELTA VT) will be smaller in CUD relative to HC, and this will be associated with less time to relapse in a 12-week follow up. Mechanistic studies have also shown N/OFQ to act on ventral tegmental area/midbrain NOP receptors to inhibit the firing of dopamine neurons and limit reward to cocaine. Imaging amphetamine-induced dopamine release in a subset of CUD subjects who participate in aim 1 will allow us to link midbrain NOP receptor expression with ventral striatum (VST) dopamine release and examine its role in reinforcement (aim 2). The aims proposed in this study have the potential to clarify the role of N/OFQ and NOP in stress, reward, and relapse in CUD.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 30
• Phase: Early Phase 1

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Rajesh Narendran, MD; Phone Number: 4126475176; Email: narendranr@upmc.edu

Study Locations

• United States
  • Pennsylvania
    • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 15213
      • Recruiting
      • University of Pittsburgh
      • Contact: Rajesh Narendran; Phone Number: 412-647-5176; Email: narendranr@upmc.edu

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 55 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Males or females between 18 and 55 years old
2. Fulfil DSM-5 criteria for cocaine use disorder
3. No other current DSM-5 psychiatric or addictive disorders (such as major depressive disorder, bipolar disorders, psychotic disorders, etc.,)
4. No current abuse (six months) of opiates, sedative-hypnotics, amphetamines, and MDMA as well as moderate to severe alcohol or cannabis use (twice a week). Nicotine use will be quantified and controlled between groups using the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (Heatherton et al., 1991);
5. Not currently on prescription medical or psychotropic medications
6. No current or past severe medical, endocrine or neurological illnesses including glaucoma, seizure disorders, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia as assessed by a complete medical history and physical
7. Not currently pregnant or breastfeeding
8. No history of significant radioactivity exposure in past year from another research study or occupation that exceeds RDRC guidelines
9. No metallic objects in the body that are contraindicated for MRI
10. No baseline BP ≥ 140/90 and/or HR ≥ 100.
11. No first-degree relative with an MI or stroke prior to middle age
12. No first-degree relative with psychosis or mania.
13. Completed a baseline [11C]NOP-1A PET scan in Aim 1 (Study Record: Imaging CRF X NOP interactions in Cocaine Use Disorders)

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Basic Science
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: PET; [C-11]NPA PET Scan	Radiation: Baseline [C-11]NPA PET Scan; Radiotracer; Drug: d-amphetamine; Oral, 0.5 mg/Kg; Radiation: Post-amphetamine [C-11]NPA PET Scan; Radiotracer

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
DELTA binding potential relative to non displaceable uptake (BPND)	DELTA BPND is the change in BPND from the baseline PET scan to post-amphetamine PET scan that will be acquired 2.5 to 3 hours after d-amphetamine administration (0.5 mg/Kg, oral)	Baseline, and 2.5 to 3 hours post-amphetamine

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Rajesh Narendran
• Collaborators: National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Rajesh Narendran, University of Pittsburgh

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 31, 2021
• Primary Completion (Anticipated): September 1, 2028
• Study Completion (Anticipated): September 1, 2028

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: August 11, 2021
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 13, 2021
• First Posted (Actual): August 18, 2021

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): May 4, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 2, 2023
• Last Verified: May 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: [C-11]NOP-1A, [C-11]NPA , nociceptive opioid peptide receptors, dopamine release
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Disease; Physiological Effects of Drugs; Adrenergic Agents; Neurotransmitter Agents; Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action; Autonomic Agents; Peripheral Nervous System Agents; Neurotransmitter Uptake Inhibitors; Membrane Transport Modulators; Dopamine Agents; Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; Central Nervous System Stimulants; Sympathomimetics; Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors; Amphetamine; Dextroamphetamine
• Other Study ID Numbers: STUDY20060171 (Aim 2); R01DA026472 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: Yes
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No