Sequential Trial of Adding Buprenorphine, Cognitive Behavioral Treatment, and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Improve Outcomes of Long-Term Opioid Therapy for Chronic Pain (ACTION)

Date Added
January 2nd, 2024
PRO Number
Pro00130123
Researcher
Kelly Barth

List of Studies


Keywords
Drug Studies, Pain, Psychiatry, Substance Use
Summary

This study aims to investigate innovative approaches to managing chronic pain and opioid use. This study consists of two phases, each offering different treatment options. Participation is voluntary.

This study will sequentially evaluate three novel and scalable interventions for at-risk individuals on long term opioid therapy for chronic pain: (1) low-dose transdermal buprenorphine initiation without a period of opioid withdrawal; (2) a brief Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for pain (CBI); and (3) transcranial magnetic stimulation by examining standardized repeated measures of clinical outcomes at baseline, during treatment, and at follow-up.

Phase 1:
In this initial phase, all participants will have a 1-week open-label trial of buprenorphine (worn as a patch on the arm, shoulder or upper-back). This trial aims to assess the safety and effectiveness of buprenorphine in managing chronic pain and opioid use. During this phase, participants will have the opportunity to experience the effects of buprenorphine under close monitoring.

Phase 2:
After completing Phase 1, participants will have the opportunity to choose their next course of treatment. They can decide to continue with buprenorphine, and undergo a 1-week trial of either real buprenorphine or a placebo (an inactive substance). They will be randomly assigned to receive either real or placebo buprenorphine. If participants respond well to buprenorphine treatment, they may continue the medication under the care of their physician.

Alternatively, participants can explore an alternative treatment called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in Phase 2. If they opt for rTMS, they will receive either real rTMS or a sham version interspersed with cognitive-behavioral therapy for pain. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either real or sham rTMS.

In both phases, participants will receive close monitoring and attend regular study visits to assess safety and progress. Throughout the study, they will be asked to complete questionnaires about pain, functioning and opioid use, undergo physiological monitoring and blood samples will be collected at specific points.

It's important to note that there are potential risks associated with the study medication, such as difficulty sleeping, nausea, and dizziness. Additionally, for the rTMS arm, there is risk of mild headache, pain at the stimulation site, and there may be unknown risks related to the brain stimulation.

Participants' experience in Phase 1 will involve an open-label trial of buprenorphine, and participants' decisions in Phase 2 will determine the treatment path. While the effectiveness of these treatments is uncertain, participants will receive thorough monitoring throughout the study, and have the option to withdraw at any time. Improvement in participant symptoms is possible but not guaranteed.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Georgia Mappin
843-764-7316
mappin@musc.edu

Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (taVNS) for the treatment of anxiety comorbid with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

Date Added
December 5th, 2023
PRO Number
Pro00128238
Researcher
Stewart Cox

List of Studies

Keywords
Adolescents, Anxiety, Autism, Psychiatry
Summary

This is a research study to find out if anxiety in patients with autism spectrum disorder are affected by a form of ear stimulation called transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation, or taVNS. Participants will learn how to self-administer ear stimulation treatments at home before starting the study. Over the course of a month, participants will self-administer ear stimulation treatments twice a day for a month. Each treatment will last up to 60 minutes (1 hour) and there will be a break of at least 30 minutes in between treatments. The study team will ask participants to complete a group of questionnaires at the beginning and end of the study. There will also be a smaller number of questionnaires completed electronically on a weekly basis. The questionnaires will ask questions about mental health symptoms that subjects may or may not be experiencing, including questions about mood, anxiety, and sleep.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Nicole Cash
843-792-9502
cashni@musc.edu

Leveraging Technology to Reduce Disparities and Improve Early Detection of and Timely Care for Postpartum Complications

Date Added
November 7th, 2023
PRO Number
Pro00130902
Researcher
Constance Guille

List of Studies


Keywords
Mental Health, Minorities, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Post Partum Depression, Pregnancy, Psychiatry, Women's Health
Summary

The purpose of the study is to learn if a program for newborn mom's can improve detection of complications after delivery and help women get medical care quickly and easily. Participants will be asked to complete a survey at the time of enrollment and at 4 additional times. All surveys can be completed via cell-phone or email. All women will be followed for 1-year after delivery. Women that enroll will be assigned to one of two groups: usual in person care OR usual in-person care PLUS a text message-based program that will ask about sign and symptoms of complications that may occur after delivery. If there is a concern, a care coordinator will call on the phone to discuss options and help refer to care if needed. Participants will be paid for their time in completing surveys.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Katie Tremont
843-792-5958
tremontk@musc.edu

Clinical Feasibility of Low Intensity Focused Ultrasound Pulsation for the Treatment of Treatment Resistant Major Depressive Disorder

Date Added
September 5th, 2023
PRO Number
Pro00128763
Researcher
Charles Palmer

List of Studies

Keywords
Depression, Mental Health, Psychiatry
Summary

The purpose of this pilot study is to evaluate safety and efficacy of a novel treatment, low intensity focused ultrasound pulsation (LIFUP) for treatment resistant depression (TRD). The initial visit will involve consent and an MRI scan, followed by two more treatment visits over the course of one week. During the first treatment day, participants will receive either focused ultrasound or sham stimulation. On the second treatment day, all participants will receive focused ultrasound. Response and potential side effects will be monitored pre- and post- each treatment along with one week and one month follow-up assessments. Follow-up assessments will also involve an MRI scan.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Charles Palmer
843-697-9989
palmecha@musc.edu

Neurobehavioral and Immune Effects of Citicoline in Youth Alcohol Use Disorder

Date Added
June 6th, 2023
PRO Number
Pro00128800
Researcher
Lindsay Squeglia

List of Studies


Keywords
Adolescents, Alcohol, Brain, Drug Studies, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Substance Use
Summary

This study is testing citicoline as a possible medication to treat alcohol use disorder. Youth (ages 16-22) will be randomly assigned to receive either citicoline (2000mg per day) and or a placebo for four weeks.

All participants will receive brief counseling from a trained clinician and will undergo a brain scan and cognitive testing at the beginning and end of the treatment.

Participants must provide informed consent and youth under 18 must have parental consent to participate. The full study will last approximately one month.

Compensation is available to those who qualify.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Cori Herring
843-792-8207
herrinco@musc.edu

Sex Differences in the Interface between Cannabis Use and Stress among Emerging Adults

Date Added
May 2nd, 2023
PRO Number
Pro00127995
Researcher
Kevin Gray

List of Studies


Keywords
Adolescents, Drug Studies, Psychiatry, Substance Use
Summary

This study is enrolling emerging adults (ages 18-25) with cannabis use disorder (CUD) to examine sex differences in (a) cannabis withdrawal symptoms during short-term cannabis abstinence, (b) cannabidiol (CBD) versus placebo effects on stress reactivity during short-term cannabis abstinence, and (c) the relationship between stress reactivity and time to cannabis relapse after short-term cannabis abstinence. The proposed study is designed to reveal sex differences and guide the development of tailored treatments that address factors disproportionately affecting emerging adult females with CUD.

Participants will complete an assessment visit to determine eligibility. Eligible participants will be scheduled for their next visit and will be instructed to abstain from cannabis use for 3 days. Participants will be set up with a phone application (app) and given instructions on its use. This app will send twice daily, random surveys everyday throughout study participation with questions about cannabis use, cravings, and overall mood. Participants will also complete twice daily saliva samples.

At the end of the 3 days, participants will return to the clinic for their second visit. Participants will complete a urine and blood sample at each visit. After eating a snack, participants will receive one dose of CBD (800mg) or placebo and then participate in a stress task. Upon completion of the stress task, participants will complete 3 saliva samples and then be discharged after evaluation by research staff. After the completion of Visit 2, participants will continue to complete twice daily surveys for 10 days. The study will last approximately 14 days.

There are risks involved with participating in this study, including risks associated with CBD, risks associated with the stress task and study procedures, emotional distress from answering personal questions, and loss of confidentiality. There is a risk of experiencing cannabis withdrawal symptoms during the 3-day period of cannabis abstinence. Some potential risks related to CBD include dry mouth, diarrhea, reduced appetite, drowsiness, and fatigue. There is a risk of loss of confidentiality, but the researchers will code the samples and research information to protect privacy. There are no direct benefits to the participant, but we hope the knowledge gained will help us inform future clinical strategies to address cannabis use in emerging adults.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Sarah Bourne
843-792-5239
bourne@musc.edu

A randomized controlled trial of smell training and trigeminal nerve stimulation in the treatment of COVID-related persistent smell loss

Date Added
May 2nd, 2023
PRO Number
Pro00127790
Researcher
Bernadette Cortese

List of Studies


Keywords
Coronavirus, Nervous System, Nose, Psychiatry
Summary

Persistent smell loss that can include diminished or distorted smell function is a common symptom of long COVID syndrome. There are limited treatment options for long COVID-related smell loss. Our study aims to determine the efficacy of two at-home treatments, smell training and non-invasive trigeminal nerve stimulation. This study requires participants to conduct daily at-home treatment sessions, attend three in-person study visits at the MUSC Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and complete electronic questionnaires over the 12-week trial, and again at the six-month timepoint. Participants in this trial may benefit directly with an improvement in sense of smell. However, participation may also help society more generally, as this study will provide new information about long COVID-related smell loss and its treatment.

Substudy

Long COVID syndrome has been associated with cognitive impairment and may be related to affected emotional regulation. This study will use a electroencephalography (EEG) to examine how the body and brain responses to emotional cues in participants who are currently undergoing treatment for COVID-related smell loss. Participation will aid in the understanding of how emotional processing in long COVID is impacted by treatment for related smell loss.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Mary Clare Koebel
843-790-3449
scent-4-longcovid@musc.edu

Targeting the Shared Substrates of Alcohol Misuse and Cognitive Impairment: Accelerated rTMS for Older Adults with Alcohol Use Disorder

Date Added
May 2nd, 2023
PRO Number
Pro00127570
Researcher
Lisa McTeague

List of Studies


Keywords
Alcohol, Brain, Psychiatry, Substance Use
Summary

Alcohol misuse is a risk factor for early onset cognitive impairment, contributing to 10% of early onset dementia, with risk corresponding to consumption. Additionally, continued drinking risks worsening cognitive decline and dementia progression, while worsening cognitive impairment contributes to drinking escalation. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been shown to improve cognition in Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dimentias (ADRD) and separately reduce heavy drinking in alcohol use disorder. Our objective is to optimize rTMS for simultaneous mitigation of both drinking and cognitive dysfunction in older adults.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Charleston Alcohol Research Center
843-792-1222
alcoholstudy@musc.edu

An Electrophysiological Predictor of SSRI Response in Veterans with PTSD

Date Added
April 4th, 2023
PRO Number
Pro00124873
Researcher
Zhewu Wang

List of Studies


Keywords
Mental Health, Military, Psychiatry
Summary

By doing this study, we hope to learn if a brief screening method can predict which people are most likely to show a positive response to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medications. This brief screening method involves using electrodes attached to your scalp via a cap, to measure electrical brain activity in response to a series of loud tones.
Your participation in this research will last about 17-21 weeks if you decide to stay for the whole study.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Erica Cortes
843-829-2110 xt 1011
erica.cortes@va.gov

Investigating the effect of the oral microbiome on cognition in HIV-infected chronic cannabis users

Date Added
February 9th, 2023
PRO Number
Pro00117243
Researcher
Wei Jiang

List of Studies


Keywords
Brain, Dental, HIV / AIDS, Memory Loss, Mental Health, Nervous System, Psychiatry, Substance Use
Summary

This study will examine how marijuana use can affect oral bacteria and brain health in people with HIV and without HIV. Early studies show that marijuana users have more oral bacteria than non-marijuana users. The increase in bacteria is believed to affect brain health. Participation in the study will be one visit. The visit will take approximately 120 minutes.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Wei Jiang
843-876-2457
jianw@musc.edu



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