Adolescence is a time of development in the brain and microbiome, including the microbiome present in the mouth called the oral microbiome. Alcohol use often begins and escalates during adolescence, which can cause changes to the oral microbiome leading to changes in the brain. The alcohol specific changes to the oral microbiome and the brain may make adolescents more vulnerable to a lifelong struggle with alcohol use disorder. This study will collect (1) saliva to assess the composition of the oral microbiome and (2) brain measurements using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) across adolescents who may or may not use alcohol. Findings from this study will help form a more thorough understanding of the biological consequences of adolescent alcohol use, with the long-term goal of informing novel prevention and intervention efforts.
This study involves testing how useful a technology-enhanced intervention is for pregnant people prescribed buprenorphine for the management of opioid use disorder. The intervention being studied is a brief therapy protocol and a mobile application. Participation involves four 60-minute biweekly (i.e., once every other week) therapy appointments during pregnancy, and three 30-minute therapy appointments monthly during the first three months after childbirth. The mobile application will be accessible for at least the duration of the study. Participants will also be asked to complete questionnaires at enrollment and again at 1-month postpartum and 3-months postpartum, and will be contacted approximately once a month to conduct a medication count. The total duration of the study is 6 months. Compensation is provided.
The purpose of this study is to better understand tobacco outcomes using a commonly prescribed stop smoking medication (varenicline) and financial incentives for adults who also use cannabis. Varenicline is not FDA approved for e-cigarette cessation, but is FDA approved for cigarette cessation. We are also interested in how cannabis/marijuana and tobacco interact during a tobacco quit attempt. All participants will receive e-cigarette cessation treatment for 12 weeks. To qualify, participants must be between the ages of 18-40 and use both tobacco and cannabis. Participants do not need to be interested in quitting cannabis to qualify. This study is being conducted at two sites: the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC and Behavioral Health Services in Pickens, SC.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of varenicline (sometimes known as Chantix) compared to placebo (an inactive substance) for the treatment of cigarettes and cannabis (marijuana). Varenicline is not FDA approved for the combination treatment of cigarette abstinence and cannabis reduction or abstinence. All participants will also receive counseling and access to online treatment modules during a quit attempt for cigarettes and a reduction attempt for cannabis. This study is being conducted by the Medical University of South Carolina. All procedures are conducted remotely; therefore, no in-person visits are needed.
To qualify, participants must be 18 or older, live in South Carolina, use cigarettes and cannabis, and are interested in quitting cigarettes and reducing cannabis.
This study is designed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of using a combination of two different medications (extended release naltrexone and bupropion) compared to matching placebo (an inactive substance) in the treatment of methamphetamine use disorder. Participants will undergo screening, and if eligible, will receive study medications along with brief medication management for twelve weeks, with follow up visits at weeks 14 and 16. The total study duration is around 19 weeks.
The goal of this study is to evaluate sex and gender differences across adulthood (18+) in reasons for using cannabis and the perceived severity of consequences associated with cannabis use. We are also interested in understanding how these reasons for cannabis use and perceived severity of consequences are related to other mental and physical health factors. Interested individuals will first complete a brief screening survey. Based on the results of this screening survey, eligible participants will immediately be invited to complete the survey remotely online via a secure web-link. Participants can expect to complete the survey in 30-45 minutes and will be reimbursed $30 via electronic gift card (e.g., Amazon).
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.
This study will evaluate the associations and interactions between bar-lab/naturalistic drinking variables with participant characteristics in individuals with bipolar disorder and alcohol use disorder. This study includes 4 study visits over approximately 1 week. Questionnaires and clinical interview measures will be completed at study visits.
The goal of this project is to better understand the relationship between tobacco/nicotine and cannabis using behavioral economics during a tobacco/nicotine quit attempt. All participants will receive tobacco/nicotine cessation treatment (smoking and/or vaping treatment) for 12 weeks. To qualify, participants must be between the ages of 18-25 and use tobacco products (smoke cigarettes and/or vape nicotine) and use cannabis (in any form). Participants do not need to be interested in quitting cannabis/marijuana to qualify. This study is being conducted by the Medical University of South Carolina. All procedures are conducted remotely and there is no in-person visits are needed.
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.