Actively Recruiting
Understanding How Opioids Affect the Experiential and Neural Signatures of Social Experiences
Led by San Diego State University · Updated on 2026-04-13
210
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
13 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
S
San Diego State University
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are studying how opioids influence both the experience and brain activity related to social connections. This early phase 1 trial uses a randomized, placebo-controlled design to compare the effects of the opioid blocker oral naltrexone with a placebo in adults aged 18 to 25 years. The goal is to understand natural feelings of social connection and mood in daily life and during social tasks in the brain scanner. Participants receive either 50 mg of naltrexone or a sugar pill once daily for seven days. During this period, they report their feelings of social connection and mood each day, along with any physical symptoms. On the seventh day, they undergo functional MRI scanning while performing tasks designed to evoke feelings of social connection, followed by assessments of their emotional responses to these tasks. Throughout the study, participants complete daily questionnaires on social feelings and physical symptoms. The study measures changes in social connection over the week using momentary assessments, brain activity patterns during the scan, and responses to the scanner tasks. Safety is monitored by tracking physical symptoms daily. The total participation lasts seven days, including the final day MRI visit and assessments.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Understanding How Opioids Affect the Experiential and Neural Signatures of Social Experiences
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Be in good health
- Speak English fluently
- Be willing to provide contact information for 4 to 6 close others
- Be willing to provide digital photographs of 2 close others
- Own a smartphone
- Be between 18 and 25 years old
You will not qualify if you...
- Have medical devices, implants, or metal objects in or on the body that cannot be removed
- Have tattooed eyeliner
- Have a body type that prevents MRI scanning
- Experience claustrophobia
- Have chronic mental or physical illness
- Currently use prescription medication regularly
- Have a history of difficulty taking pills
- Currently use opioid pain medications
- Have depressive symptoms scoring above 9 on the Patient Health Questionnaire
- Use alcohol excessively
- Have a positive urine drug test
- Have a body mass index (BMI) over 35
- Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant in the next 6 months
- Have a positive urine pregnancy test
AI-Screening
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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.
Duration - 7 days
Participants take either 50mg of naltrexone hydrochloride or a placebo pill once daily by mouth for seven days.
1 baseline visit and 1 neuroimaging visit on Day 7
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
San Diego State University
San Diego, California, United States, 92120
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
T
Tristen Inagaki, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
TRIPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
2
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