View clinical trials related to Behavior, Addictive.
Filter by:The investigators propose that brief training in regulation of craving may increase the efficacy of smoking cessation, but that training in cognitive vs. mindfulness-based strategies may operate via different psychological and neural mechanisms.
Tobacco addiction is treatable with behavioral and pharmacological means, but results are often less than optimal. Transcranial direct current stimulation is a new non-invasive technique that applies weak electrical currents through the skull and has been shown to alter the excitability of certain brain areas. It is currently being tried in disorders where there is abnormal brain excitability, such as epilepsy and depression. A few studies have also been able to diminish drug craving, suggesting that brain excitability might also be altered in drug addiction. This study aims at non-invasively changing the excitability of certain brain areas-a procedure called neuromodulation- in order to help smokers quit smoking more easily.
Abnormal opioid system have been identified in addictive behavior and activity of the opioid system has also shown a strong link with the nutritional balance. A significant increase in endorphin levels was noticed after exercise, proportional to the duration and intensity of this activity. One brain imaging study showed an increase in opioid activity in athletes after endurance training. However , a decrease in opioid tone related to receptor desensitization in the brain has been raised in the sport and it is possible to feel like , the subject must perform physical exercise more frequently . Consequently, in order to deepen the hypothesis of addiction in high-level sport , the brain opioid activity should be assessed pre- training compared to a group of sedentary control subjects . Preliminary results of a previous study the investigators are conducting on anorexia nervosa (AN ) show abnormalities that appear to be involved in self addiction anorexia nervosa and the regulation of gonadal function. However, the relation of cause and effect between these anomalies and undernutrition remains to be determined . Given the addictive component in the endurance sport and the variability of the nutritional status of its practitioners , evaluation of brain activity in these subjects could provide additional answers.
In this study, eligible crack-cocaine addicted inpatients recruited from specialized clinics for substance abuse disorder treatment, filling inclusion criteria and not showing any exclusion criteria, were randomized to receive the repetitive (10 sessions, every other day) bilateral dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (dlPFC: cathodal left / anodal right) tDCS (2 milliamperes, 3x7 cm2, for 20 min) or placebo (sham-tDCS). Craving to the use of crack-cocaine was examined before (baseline), during and after the end of the tDCS treatment. Based in our previous data, our hypothesis was that repetitive bilateral tDCS over dlPFC would favorably change clinical, cognitive and brain function in crack-cocaine addiction and these would be long-lasting effects.
This study is being done to measure the number of brain cells that grow in the brain throughout our lives while determining an effective way to complete this with an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scanner. The number of these brain cells may be affected by cocaine use. Researchers are trying to understand the long-term effects of cocaine use on the brain.
This study will, in a sample of cocaine-dependent and healthy control subjects, administer corticorelin and compare dopamine release between groups. Dopamine release will be measured using PET neuroimaging with the radiotracer [11C]-(+)-PHNO.
The investigators hypothesize that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on the right side of the head will make craving towards alcohol less severe in recently detoxified alcohol addicted patients. Although there are successful treatment option to detoxify patients form their alcohol use, many patients tend to relapse. This relapse is mainly caused by a high level of (uncontrollable) craving towards alcohol. This aspect of addiction is with the existing options hard to treat, there is a great need of new successful treatment modalities. rTMS is a FDA approved treatment method for depression. Recently some small scale studies have shown promising results on rTMS in the treatment of addiction. In this study the investigators focus on alcohol addiction since it is the addiction with the highest morbidity and mortality in the Netherlands.
The Investigators hope to learn if they can prevent or lessen the symptoms of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in babies born to narcotic-dependent mothers by using the drug ondansetron in the mothers prior to delivery and their babies after delivery. The study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study with one half the mother-baby pairs to receive ondansetron and the other half of the mother-baby pairs to receive placebo. The pregnant narcotic-dependent mothers will receive an intravenous dose of study medication prior to delivery; the neonates, after their birth, will receive the same study medication the mother received every 24 hours for up to 5 days. The Investigators will follow up with the mother-baby pairs for 10 days after study drug has stopped and one last follow up, about 30 days after stopping study drug, to learn if the baby had any symptoms of NAS in that time period.
Hypothesis: Patients who are addicted to opioids or alcohol will have reduced substance use, health care utilization if they have immediate and convenient access to pharmacotherapy and addiction counselling. Summary: This randomized trial will compare two different interventions for 124 alcohol and opioid-addicted patients admitted to either Women's Own Detox (WOD) at the University Health Network or the Withdrawal Management Service (WMS) at Saint Michael's Hospital (SMH. The Delayed Intervention group will receive a card with contact information for the St. Michael's Hospital and Women's College Hospital addiction medicine services. The Rapid Intervention group will be seen by an addiction physician from one of these services, within a day or two of their admission to the WOD or the SMH WMS. The addiction physician will prescribe buprenorphine or anti-alcohol medications, and the physician, nurse and/or therapist will provide ongoing counseling, follow-up and shared care with the family physician. Outcomes (measured at 6 and 12 months) include treatment retention, health care utilization and cost, medications prescribed, and alcohol and opioid use.
We propose that the systemic administration of lidocaine following the induction of cue-induced craving, relative to saline plus cue-induced craving or lidocaine without cue-induced craving, will block the reconsolidation of cue memories. This will lead to a reduction in cue-induced craving upon repeated testing as well as subsequent cocaine use and basal craving.