OUD Target Trial (Opioid Use Disorder) - Clinical Trial
What is the Purpose of this Study?
We are doing this study to improve treatment options for people with opioid use disorder. We want to know if a certain brain signal can better predict how someone will respond to buprenorphine (Suboxone®), and we also want to find out if a non-invasive treatment called repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) can help people quit opioids more easily than just taking buprenorphine alone.
rTMS involves placing a coil against the scalp, and delivers magnetic pulses that stimulate a specific part of the brain. For this study, we will focus on the part of the brain involved with self-control. This procedure is FDA-approved for depression and is commonly used in other addiction treatments (smoking cessation).
Opioid Use Disorder
Who Can Participate in the Study?
Adults ages 18+ who:
- Are diagnosed with opioid use disorder
- Plan to use buprenorphine to reduce cravings
- Do not have a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or a history of epilepsy/seizures
- Do not have any metal implants in their body above the neck
- Are not pregnant or breastfeeding
For more information, contact the study team at cameron.howes@duke.edu.
What is Involved?
If you choose to join the study, we will schedule you to come in for a screening visit to find out if you are eligible.
If you are eligible, you will get a random assignment (like a coin flip) to either get the rTMS procedure or a sham (fake) version of the procedure. You will not know the group you are in until the study is over.
No matter your group assignment, during the study you will:
- Have MRI brain scans (before starting buprenorphine, 7-10 days after starting buprenorphine, and after finishing rTMS/sham sessions)
- Have 50 one-hour rTMS/sham sessions (flexible scheduling)
- Have brief check-ins once a week for 12 weeks after your rTMS/sham sessions (most can be done online)
You can learn more and contact the study team online: https://redcap.duke.edu/redcap/surveys/?s=LEA4JYWJJJ7KKYCC