Research Projects - current

Current Extend and Confirm Projects funded by the ITN


Glial Regulators for Treating Comorbid Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Substance Use Disorders
Principal Investigator(s): Sudie Back, Ph.D.
Lay Abstract In the proposed EC study, we will (1) employ a randomized, double-blind, between-groups experimental design that will consist of 8 weeks of treatment with NAC (2400mg) or placebo medication; (2) use standardized, repeated dependent measures to rigorously assess AUD severity and PTSD symptomatology during treatment and follow-up; (3) collect biologic measures of alcohol use; (4) measure impairment in associated areas of functioning (e.g., depression, sleep, suicidality, family/social functioning); and (5) employ advanced neuroimaging techniques before and after treatment. This proposal is directly responsive to the mission of the Institute for Translational Neuroscience (ITN) and the U.S. Army/Department of Defense in that it seeks to accelerate the development of new, medication-based treatments to mitigate the impact of AUD and comorbid psychological conditions, such as PTSD, in the military/Veteran context.
Keywords PTSD, addiction, stress, glutamate, alcohol, substance abuse, Glia, N-acetylcysteine (NAC)
Recruiting Yes, check here
Treatment Type Pharmacological: N-acetylcysteine
Target Population Veterans
IND this study has an active IND

 

 
 
Development of an animal model and novel treatments for comorbid PTSD and cocaine addiction
Principal Investigator(s): Lori A. Knackstedt, Ph.D.
Lay Abstract The present proposal is aimed at developing an animal model of comorbid PTSD and cocaine addiction/relapse for the screening of highly translational compounds to reduce PTSD symptoms and the motivation to seek cocaine. Our overarching hypothesis is that the inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system will ameliorate the symptoms of PTSD and will be successful in attenuating cocaine-seeking in animals exposed to traumatic stress. We have chosen to test the ability of the angiotensin-1 receptor antagonist, candesartan, and the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, captopril, to reduce symptoms of PTSD and potentially reduce cocaine self-administration in this rat model.
Keywords cocaine addiction/relapse, PTSD, Candesartan, Captopril, Ceftriaxone, Glutamate, Endocannabiniods
Recruiting n/a
Treatment Type Pharmacological: Candesartan & Captopril
Target Population Rat Studies
IND n/a

 

 
Epigenetic modulation of interactions between fear and substance abuse
Principal Investigator(s): Kennon M. Lattal, Ph.D.
Lay Abstract We found that a single traumatic event caused persistent effects on methamphetamine and alcohol self- administration that often persisted over 30 days after trauma. During our support from the ITN, we also found that a novel HDAC3 inhibitor (RGFP966) promotes extinction of drug-seeking in a rodent self-administration model, as well as extinction of fear. In this extend-and-confirm application, we bring these two findings together and ask how selective inhibition of HDAC3 may promote extinction and weaken relapse after a traumatic event. This is a novel behavioral model coupled with a novel pharmacological approach. Further, we will investigate the molecular consequences of trauma and relapse, and how they may be altered by HDAC3 inhibition during extinction. These proposed experiments have tremendous clinical promise, as RGFP966 is already in Phase 1 clinical trials for treating Friedreich’s ataxia and we have strong preliminary data showing its effects on fear and drug seeking.
Keywords substance abuse disorder, memory, epigenetics, methamphetamine, PTSD, extinction, histone acetylation, alcohol
Recruiting n/a
Treatment Type Pharmacological: RGFP966
Target Population Rat Studies
IND n/a
 
 

Current Proof of Principle Projects funded by ITN


N-acetylcysteine Treatment of Hazardous or Harmful Alcohol Use in Veterans with TBI
Principal Investigator(s): Steven L. Batki, M.D.
Lay Abstract The overall goal of the proposed project is to improve the care of veterans with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and unhealthy alcohol use. We propose to conduct a pilot controlled clinical trial to assess the efficacy of Nacetylcysteine (NAC) to reduce alcohol use and improve brain injury symptoms in veterans with mTBI who consume alcohol at hazardous or harmful levels. This proposed project builds upon our current IMN‐funded research on topiramate pharmacotherapy for heavy alcohol use in veterans with mTBI.
Keywords alcohol abuse, TBI, N-acetylcysteine
Recruiting pending
Treatment Type Pharmacological: N-acetylcysteine
Target Population Veterans
IND this study has an active IND

 

 
 
Use of kappa opioid receptor antagonists to prevent opiate abuse after use of prescription opioid painkillers
Principal Investigator(s): Elena Chartoff, Ph.D.
Lay Abstract determine if the orally available KOR antagonist JDTic administered to rats during morphine withdrawal blocks withdrawal-induced negative affective states and likelihood to engage in oxycodone IV self-administration.
Keywords n/a
Recruiting n/a
Treatment Type Pharmacological: kappa opiod antagonists
Target Population Rat Studies
IND n/a

 

 
Oxytocin Supresses SUD Associated with Chronic Stress
Lay Abstract Determine whether IN OT will decrease craving to use ETOH and stress reactivity following exposure to lab-induced stress among ADSMs with a dual-diagnosis of AUD & PTSD
Keywords Alcohol Use Disorder, AUD, PTSD, oxytocin, military
Recruiting Yes, check here
Treatment Type Pharmacological: Oxytocin (intranasal)
Target Population Fort Gordon EAMC In-patient active duty
IND This study has an active IND

 

 
Effects of Tolcapone on Decision Making and ETOH intake using a laboratory bar in moderate/heavy social drinking
Lay Abstract An experimental bar is a behavioral technique that can be used to pre-screen new treatment strategies for alcoholism in a rapid and inexpensive manner. It is a well-established tool to mimic a social bar setting in a clinical facility in order to study the decision making skills surrounding alcohol consumption. As we have already demonstrated effects of tolcapone on decision making in both healthy controls and abstinent alcoholics, this experiment will allow us to ascertain its effects on active alcohol consumption and real-time decision making for alcohol versus monetary rewards.
Keywords Dopamine, Tolcapone, Alcohol Use Disorder, AUD, decision-making
Recruiting Data analysis only
Treatment Type Pharmacological: Tolcapone
Target Population Human
IND This study has an active IND

 

 
The effects of oxytocin on social ability, alcohol approach bias, and startle hyperreactivity in veterans with alcohol use disorder and post traumatic stress disorder.
Principal Investigator(s): Josh Woolley, M.D., Ph.D.
Lay Abstract We propose to investigate the effects of oxytocin on alcohol‐related behaviors, social abilities, and physiological startle responses in patients with PTSD & AUD using a randomized, placebo‐controlled, dose‐tiered, within‐subject study design. Specifically, we will determine if intranasal administration of a single dose of the pro‐social neuropeptide oxytocin decreases alcohol‐related approach bias and cravings, enhances social abilities, and decreases physiological hyperactivity during a fear‐potentiated startle paradigm. We will also determine the optimal dose to achieve these effects and will explore psychosocial predictors of responses to oxytocin. If successful, we will extend the proposed work with a longitudinal clinical trial of chronic oxytocin administration in patients with AUD and PTSD. The proposed work has the potential to yield a novel harmacological treatment for AUD and PTSD, both leading causes of disability in the US Military for which currently available treatments are inadequate.
Keywords alcohol abuse, oxytocin
Recruiting n/a
Treatment Type Pharmacological: Oxytocin (intranasal)
Target Population San Francisco VAMC
IND this study has an active IND