PET Imaging Study of Amphetamine-Induced Dopamine Release in Adults with Cocaine Use Disorder Aged 18 to 55

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to study cocaine use disorder CUD, a chronic condition with frequent relapses and abstinence periods. Researchers are evaluating brain dopamine release triggered by amphetamine using special PET scans in people with CUD. The study also looks at brain receptor changes related to stress and relapse, focusing on nociceptin opioid peptide receptors NOP and their role in counteracting stress effects in the brain. Understanding these mechanisms may help develop medications to prevent relapse in CUD. Participants will undergo a baseline PET scan using the radiotracer C-11NPA, followed by an oral dose of d-amphetamine at 0.5 mgkg. After amphetamine administration, a second PET scan will measure dopamine release in the brains striatum region. This study builds on previous imaging of NOP receptors before and after a hydrocortisone challenge and will explore how dopamine release relates to NOP receptor expression. The trial uses a single group design without masking. During the study, participants will have PET scans before and 2.5 to 3 hours after amphetamine intake to measure changes in dopamine binding. Researchers will assess dopamine release as their main outcome, focusing on changes in binding potential in the brain. Participants must meet strict health and substance use criteria, and safety monitoring includes screening for medical conditions and medication use. The study duration extends until September 2028, with comprehensive evaluations to understand the brain chemistry behind addiction and relapse.

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