Craving & Decision-Making

Launched by RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY · May 28, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, titled "Craving & Decision-Making," is looking at how strong desires, or cravings, can affect the choices people make. Researchers want to understand how craving for things like opioids or specific snacks influences how much someone is willing to pay for everyday items or food. The study involves tasks where participants will decide how much they value various items while experiencing cravings. By examining brain activity during these decisions, the researchers hope to uncover the connections between craving and how people assign value to different choices.

To participate in this study, you must be at least 18 years old and able to read and understand the study materials. If you have a diagnosis of opioid use disorder (OUD), you should also be receiving treatment for it. The study is open to all genders, and participants will be required to complete tasks that involve decision-making while their brain activity is monitored through an MRI scan. It's important to note that certain health conditions or medications may exclude you from participating. Overall, this trial aims to shed light on the complex relationship between craving and decision-making, which could help improve treatment approaches for people with substance use issues.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • At least 18 years of age
• • Willingness to follow study requirements, as evidenced by an ability to provide written informed consent and read, understand, and complete the study procedures
• • Minimum of 6th grade reading level
• Additional inclusion criteria for participants with OUD:
• • Primary diagnosis of OUD encompassing heroin and/or painkiller use
• • Receiving medications for OUD treatment on an outpatient basis
• • At least 12-month history of opioid use
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Unable to speak or read English
• • Active psychosis or mania
• • Current or past schizophrenia diagnosis
• • History of intellectual disability or developmental or neurological disorder, seizures or epilepsy, or loss consciousness lasting more than 30 minutes
• • Severe medical conditions requiring hospitalization or that, in the opinion of the study staff could compromise study participation
• • MRI contraindications (claustrophobia, nonremovable piercings, certain metal in the body etc.) or pregnancy
• Additional exclusion criteria for community control participants:
• • Positive urine drug screen
• • Current or past problematic substance use other than nicotine, and alcohol abuse confined to college or military service
• • Current or past bipolar disorder diagnosis
• • Use of central nervous system medications within the past 6 weeks (e.g., antidepressants, Ritalin)