Cocaine AddictionPhase 2NCT01822587
Enhancing Disrupted Reconsolidation: Impact on Cocaine Craving
A Phase 2 study testing Propranolol, 40 mg and Propranolol, 80 mg in people with Cocaine Addiction, run by Medical University of South Carolina at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The investigators' recently completed study has provided the first evidence that administration of the medication propranolol, following exposure to cocaine cues, can alter drug-associated memories and reduce craving and other drug cue-elicited responses in cocaine addicted persons. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Cocaine Addiction
- What is being tested?
- Propranolol, 40 mg and Propranolol, 80 mg
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 181 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- Sep 2013to 5 Nov 2018
- Phase
- Phase 2
- Are there results?
- Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Participants must meet DSM-IV criteria for current cocaine dependence (within the past month). Participants may meet criteria for abuse, but not dependence, for any other substance with the exception of nicotine. Because of the high comorbidity of cocaine and nicotine dependence, excluding nicotine dependence would seriously compromise the feasibility of recruitment (nicotine patch will be provided to participants during the course of their involvement in the laboratory procedures). Although individuals who meet criteria for alcohol abuse will be accepted for study participation, anyone who has a measurable blood alcohol level on the day of testing will be excluded as acute alcohol intake can lower seizure threshold.
- Participants must be able to provide informed consent and function at an intellectual level sufficient to allow accurate completion of all assessment instruments.Exclusion Criteria:
- Use of one of the following methods of birth control by female participants: barrier methods (diaphragm or condoms with spermicidal or both), surgical sterilization, use of an intra-uterine contraceptive device, or complete abstinence from sexual intercourse.
- Individuals must live within a 50-mile radius of our research program and have reliable transportation.
- Individuals must consent to remain abstinent from all drugs of abuse (except nicotine) for 72 hours immediately prior to CTRC inpatient admission.
- Individuals must consent to random assignment to one of three study groups (the two propranolol-treated groups or the placebo-treated group).
Who cannot join
- Women who are pregnant, nursing or of childbearing potential and not practicing an effective means of birth control.
- Individuals with evidence of or a history of significant hematological, endocrine, cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, gastrointestinal, or neurological disease including diabetes, as these conditions may affect heart rate or skin conductance measurement.
- Individuals with significant liver impairment as propranolol is hepatically metabolized.
- Individuals with a history of or current psychotic disorder, current major depressive disorder, bipolar affective disorder or a severe anxiety disorder as these may impact cue reactivity.
- Individuals currently taking anti-arrythmic agents, psychostimulants or any other agents known to interfere with heart rate and skin conductance monitoring.
- Known or suspected hypersensitivity to propranolol.
Show all 9Show fewer
- Individuals taking medications that could adversely interact with the study medication, including, but not limited to albuterol, insulin, or significant inhibitors of CYP2D6.
- Individuals with bronchial asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as the use of propranolol is contraindicated in these individuals.
- Individuals with any physical condition or disability that would compromise optimal sensory processing of the cues (e.g., blindness).
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina, 29425
About this study
Official title: Enhancing Disrupted Reconsolidation: Impact on Cocaine Craving, Reactivity and Use
The investigators' recently completed study has provided the first evidence that administration of the medication propranolol, following exposure to cocaine cues, can alter drug-associated memories and reduce craving and other drug cue-elicited responses in cocaine addicted persons. The investigators will attempt to augment this effect by a) doubling the number of propranolol-medicated cocaine cue exposure (CCE) retrieval sessions and b) increasing the dose of propranolol. It is expected that propranolol treated groups, relative to placebo treated groups, will evidence greater reduction of craving, cue reactivity and cocaine use during follow-up cocaine cue exposures. Also, these effects will be greater for those who receive 80mg of propranolol as opposed to 40mg.
Read the detailed description
Three groups of CD (cocaine dependant) participants will receive two sessions of cocaine cue exposure (CCE), each separated by a 24 hr. period and both conducted while the participants remain in hospital. One group (PBO) will receive placebo following each CCE session while the second (40PP) and third (80PP) group will receive 40 mg and 80 mg propranolol, respectively. Participants will return two days, and 1, 3, and 6 weeks after discharge and will be administered a CCE session to assess for maintenance/generalization of disruption of reconsolidation (DoR) effects on craving and cue reactivity to familiar and novel cocaine cues. Participants will also be assessed 3 times weekly for cocaine use (self-report \& urine drug screen) during follow-up.
- Conditions
- Cocaine Addiction
- Being tested
- Propranolol, 40 mg, Propranolol, 80 mg, Placebo
- Keywords
- Drug Abuse, Cocaine, Addiction
- Medical subject headings
- Cocaine-Related Disorders, Substance-Related Disorders, Behavior, Addictive
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Propranolol, 40 mgDrug
Also called Inderal
Propranolol, 80 mgDrug
Also called Inderal
PlaceboDrug
Also called Sugar Pill
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Placebo | Placebo comparator | Administered once orally following cue exposure on each of the first two days of testing. Receives: Drug: Placebo |
| Propranolol 40mg | Active comparator | Administered once orally following cue exposure on each of the first two days of testing. Receives: Drug: Propranolol, 40 mg |
| Propranolol, 80mg | Active comparator | Administered once orally following cue exposure on each of the first two days of testing. Receives: Drug: Propranolol, 80 mg |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Cocaine Use
Timeline of cocaine use throughout the duration of the study (in dollar amounts)
Measured: Evaluated at Weeks 1, 3 and 6
Change in Craving Score
The participant is asked, "What is the level of craving you are experiencing on a scale or 0 to 100, with 0 representing no craving and 100 extreme craving"?
Measured: Single-Item Craving Scores are collected at all Retrieval Extinction Sessions (medication days), as well as all Phase Two Test Sessions (weeks 1,3 and 6).
Days of Abstinence
How many days the participants used cocaine versus how many days of abstinence they were able to achieve.
Measured: Week 1, Week 3, and Week 6
Average Peak Craving Score
Peak Craving Response from Session Baseline- peak craving is measured by a scale with a score of 0 (no craving) -100 (maximum craving).
Measured: Day 2, Week 1, Week 3, and Week 6
Use Days
Mean Days of Cocaine Use
Measured: Week 1, Week 3, Week 6
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted2 Apr 2013 (estimated)
- Study startSep 2013
- Primary completion5 Nov 2018
- Study completion5 Nov 2018
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Other trials for Cocaine AddictionStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Medical University of South CarolinaThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 2
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 181 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Medical University of South Carolina
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Michael E Saladin, PhD, Principal investigator, Medical University of South Carolina
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT01822587
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 21392
- Status last verified
- Dec 2019
- First submitted
- 19 Mar 2013
- Last updated
- 26 Dec 2019
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 26 Dec 2019. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Enhancing Disrupted Reconsolidation: Impact on Cocaine Craving, Reactivity and Use
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT01822587
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 21392
- Conditions
- Cocaine Addiction
- Keywords
- Drug Abuse, Cocaine, Addiction
- Phase
- Phase 2
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 181 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Medical University of South CarolinaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Sep 2013 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 5 Nov 2018 (actual)
- Study completion
- 5 Nov 2018 (actual)
- First posted
- 2 Apr 2013 (estimated)
- Results
- Posted 17 Dec 2019
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The investigators' recently completed study has provided the first evidence that administration of the medication propranolol, following exposure to cocaine cues, can alter drug-associated memories and reduce craving and other drug cue-elicited responses in cocaine addicted persons. The investigators will attempt to augment this effect by a) doubling the number of propranolol-medicated cocaine cue exposure (CCE) retrieval sessions and b) increasing the dose of propranolol. It is expected that propranolol treated groups, relative to placebo treated groups, will evidence greater reduction of craving, cue reactivity and cocaine use during follow-up cocaine cue exposures. Also, these effects will be greater for those who receive 80mg of propranolol as opposed to 40mg.
Detailed description
Three groups of CD (cocaine dependant) participants will receive two sessions of cocaine cue exposure (CCE), each separated by a 24 hr. period and both conducted while the participants remain in hospital. One group (PBO) will receive placebo following each CCE session while the second (40PP) and third (80PP) group will receive 40 mg and 80 mg propranolol, respectively. Participants will return two days, and 1, 3, and 6 weeks after discharge and will be administered a CCE session to assess for maintenance/generalization of disruption of reconsolidation (DoR) effects on craving and cue reactivity to familiar and novel cocaine cues. Participants will also be assessed 3 times weekly for cocaine use (self-report \& urine drug screen) during follow-up.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind (participant, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Placebo | Placebo comparator | Drug: PlaceboAdministered once orally following cue exposure on each of the first two days of testing. |
| Propranolol 40mg | Active comparator | Drug: Propranolol, 40 mgAdministered once orally following cue exposure on each of the first two days of testing. |
| Propranolol, 80mg | Active comparator | Drug: Propranolol, 80 mgAdministered once orally following cue exposure on each of the first two days of testing. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Participants must meet DSM-IV criteria for current cocaine dependence (within the past month). Participants may meet criteria for abuse, but not dependence, for any other substance with the exception of nicotine. Because of the high comorbidity of cocaine and nicotine dependence, excluding nicotine dependence would seriously compromise the feasibility of recruitment (nicotine patch will be provided to participants during the course of their involvement in the laboratory procedures). Although individuals who meet criteria for alcohol abuse will be accepted for study participation, anyone who has a measurable blood alcohol level on the day of testing will be excluded as acute alcohol intake can lower seizure threshold.
- Participants must be able to provide informed consent and function at an intellectual level sufficient to allow accurate completion of all assessment instruments.Exclusion Criteria:
- Use of one of the following methods of birth control by female participants: barrier methods (diaphragm or condoms with spermicidal or both), surgical sterilization, use of an intra-uterine contraceptive device, or complete abstinence from sexual intercourse.
- Individuals must live within a 50-mile radius of our research program and have reliable transportation.
- Individuals must consent to remain abstinent from all drugs of abuse (except nicotine) for 72 hours immediately prior to CTRC inpatient admission.
Key exclusion criteria (9 listed)
- Women who are pregnant, nursing or of childbearing potential and not practicing an effective means of birth control.
- Individuals with evidence of or a history of significant hematological, endocrine, cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, gastrointestinal, or neurological disease including diabetes, as these conditions may affect heart rate or skin conductance measurement.
- Individuals with significant liver impairment as propranolol is hepatically metabolized.
- Individuals with a history of or current psychotic disorder, current major depressive disorder, bipolar affective disorder or a severe anxiety disorder as these may impact cue reactivity.
- Individuals currently taking anti-arrythmic agents, psychostimulants or any other agents known to interfere with heart rate and skin conductance monitoring.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Propranolol, 40 mgAlso: Inderal | Drug | Propranolol 40mg |
| Propranolol, 80 mgAlso: Inderal | Drug | Propranolol, 80mg |
| PlaceboAlso: Sugar Pill | Drug | Placebo |
Primary outcome
Cocaine Use
Time frame: Evaluated at Weeks 1, 3 and 6
Timeline of cocaine use throughout the duration of the study (in dollar amounts)
Change in Craving Score
Time frame: Single-Item Craving Scores are collected at all Retrieval Extinction Sessions (medication days), as well as all Phase Two Test Sessions (weeks 1,3 and 6).
The participant is asked, "What is the level of craving you are experiencing on a scale or 0 to 100, with 0 representing no craving and 100 extreme craving"?
Days of Abstinence
Time frame: Week 1, Week 3, and Week 6
How many days the participants used cocaine versus how many days of abstinence they were able to achieve.
Average Peak Craving Score
Time frame: Day 2, Week 1, Week 3, and Week 6
Peak Craving Response from Session Baseline- peak craving is measured by a scale with a score of 0 (no craving) -100 (maximum craving).
Use Days
Time frame: Week 1, Week 3, Week 6
Mean Days of Cocaine Use
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 26 Dec 2019.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
Related trials for Cocaine Addiction
Not yet recruiting
QAIAx - SGI/SI Smart Health Cities: Microcity Enclave Program (Quantum SI/AGI Agency a/k/a AI City Hall Project - UPSTO App Nos. 64/074,526, 64/063,557, 64/105,164, 63/903,181, 63/729,428, 64/125,360; USPTO EO 9424 Assignment ID: 2101042 / ARN: REEL/FRAME: 76481/0026 - OUSD-R&E, Department of War)
Asperger's Disorder, Asperger Disorder
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Michael E Saladin, PhD principal investigator
Medical University of South Carolina
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 2 study testing Propranolol, 40 mg and Propranolol, 80 mg in people with Cocaine Addiction, run by Medical University of South Carolina at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 9 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 26 Dec 2019. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
What does this phase mean?
Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 17 Dec 2019). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Cocaine Use (time frame: Evaluated at Weeks 1, 3 and 6). The study lists 5 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 26 Dec 2019; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 7 Nov 2026.