Neuroimaging Techniques Development Related to Addiction
Trial Summary
What is the purpose of this trial?
Background: Abusing alcohol, drugs, and other substances can cause serious health problems. These substances also can affect brain function. Researchers want to learn more about brain function by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This uses a magnetic field and radio waves to take pictures of the brain. Objective: To develop new ways to use MRI to study the brain. Eligibility: Healthy people 18 years of age or older. Design: Participants will be screened with a medical history, physical exam, and blood and urine tests. They will answer questions about their drug use and psychiatric history. They will be asked about family history of alcoholism or drug abuse. Participants will answer questions to see if they can participate in MRI. Participants will have MRI scans. The scanner is a metal cylinder in a strong magnetic field. Participants will lie on a table that slides in and out of the cylinder. A device called a coil may be placed over the head. Each sub-study will include up to 3 different MRI visits. Participants can be in multiple sub-studies. But they can have only 1 MRI per week and 20 per year. During MRI visits, participants may have urine collected. They may get another MRI questionnaire. Participants may have a clinical MRI brain scan. This may show physical problems in the brain. During some scans, participants may perform simple movement, memory, and thinking tasks. Participants may be connected to a machine to monitor brain activity during the scan. Small metal electrodes will be placed on the scalp. A gel will be placed in the space between the electrodes and the scalp. ...
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial requires that you do not take any psychoactive drugs (medications that affect your mind, emotions, or behavior) like Celexa, Prozac, Wellbutrin, Zoloft, or stimulants like Adderall, Dexedrine, and Ritalin. If you are taking these medications, you would need to stop before participating.
What data supports the effectiveness of this treatment for addiction?
Research shows that neuroimaging techniques like MRI and fMRI can detect brain changes related to substance abuse, helping us understand how addiction affects the brain. These techniques have been used to study brain chemistry and function, offering insights into the mechanisms of addiction and potential therapeutic applications.12345
Is neuroimaging safe for humans?
How does this treatment for addiction differ from other treatments?
This treatment is unique because it uses advanced neuroimaging techniques like MRI and spectroscopy to study brain changes related to addiction, offering insights into the brain's structure and function that other treatments do not provide. These techniques can help identify subtle brain changes and drug reinforcement mechanisms, potentially leading to more targeted and effective interventions.12349
Research Team
Dardo G Tomasi, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for healthy adults over 18 who can consent to the study, understand English, and agree not to use drugs on test days. It's not for pregnant women, those over 550 lbs, people with certain metal objects in their body or claustrophobia, anyone with serious psychiatric disorders or neurological conditions like MS or Parkinson's Disease.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
MRI Visits
Participants undergo MRI scans to assess brain function, with tasks performed during scans
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after MRI sessions
Treatment Details
Interventions
- EEG/EOG
- fMRI
- In vivo MRS
- NSPRD
- sMRI
- Stimulation tasks
- Structural MRI
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Lead Sponsor