Actively Recruiting
Decision Neuroscience of Craving in Opioid Use Disorder and Food Craving Assessed by fMRI and Behavioral Tasks
Led by Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey · Updated on 2026-06-04
160
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
R
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are studying how craving affects decision-making and value assignment in people, focusing on opioid use disorder (OUD) and food cravings. The goal is to understand the brain activity and interactions involved when individuals with OUD and community controls decide how much they are willing to pay for consumer or snack food items related to their craving. This study also compares craving mechanisms between drug and food cravings using brain imaging techniques. Participants with OUD receiving medication treatment and community controls will complete decision-making tasks during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). They will indicate their willingness-to-pay for everyday consumer items or snack foods associated with their cravings. The tasks are combined with behavioral interventions using audio-visual stimuli designed to change psychological states and cravings for drugs or foods. These include neutral-relaxing, drug-related, non-food, and food-related stimuli. During the study, participants will undergo fMRI scans while performing tasks and viewing stimuli. Researchers will measure willingness-to-pay decisions and brain activity patterns related to craving and valuation. Assessments involve observing changes in craving and decision-making processes. The study requires participants to be at least 18 years old and able to complete all procedures, including reading and understanding study materials. Participation length and follow-up details are based on study visits and task completion.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Craving & Decision-Making
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- At least 18 years of age
- Ability to provide written informed consent and complete study procedures
- Minimum of 6th grade reading level
- Primary diagnosis of opioid use disorder including heroin and/or painkiller use (for OUD participants)
- Receiving medications for opioid use disorder treatment on an outpatient basis
- At least 12-month history of opioid use (for OUD participants)
You will not qualify if you...
- Unable to speak or read English
- Active psychosis or mania
- Current or past diagnosis of schizophrenia
- History of intellectual disability, developmental or neurological disorder, seizures or epilepsy, or loss of consciousness lasting more than 30 minutes
- Severe medical conditions requiring hospitalization or that could compromise participation
- MRI contraindications such as claustrophobia, nonremovable piercings, certain metals in the body, or pregnancy
- Positive urine drug screen (for community controls)
- Current or past problematic substance use other than nicotine, and alcohol abuse limited to college or military service (for community controls)
- Current or past bipolar disorder diagnosis (for community controls)
- Use of central nervous system medications within the past 6 weeks (for community controls)
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Single study visit
Participants complete decision-making tasks during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to indicate their willingness-to-pay for various items. During the tasks, participants observe audio-visual stimuli designed to affect their psychological state and cravings related to drugs or food.
1 visit (in-person) including fMRI and behavioral tasks
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Piscataway, New Jersey, United States, 08854
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
A
Anna Konova, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
2
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