Brain Imaging in Cocaine Use Disorders

STUDY BASICS

Cocaine users between 18-50 years old are needed for a brain imaging research study. Participants must be prescription medication free (birth control acceptable) and willing to not use cocaine for several weeks. Study involves questionnaires, interviews and brain scanning. Compensation provided.

STUDY PURPOSE

Cocaine is an extremely addictive and illegal stimulant drug that can cause significant changes in the brain. The purpose of this study is to examine the role of a protein called phosphodiesterase (PDE10a) in the brains of people who use cocaine. This protein is used by the brain to pass messages between brain cells, and seems to play an important role in regulating brain reward mechanisms. Researchers think that cocaine use may be related to changes in this protein, and want to better understand the process and implications.

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?

• Cocaine users ages 18-50
• Willing to not use cocaine for several weeks
• Prescription medication free (birth control medication ok)
• Willing and able to undergo MRI, PET, and CT scans

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

Study participation includes at least eight visits. An initial screening visit at WPIC takes about six hours to complete, and includes questionnaires, interviews, a physical exam, and a blood draw. Participants are not permitted to use any drugs (over-the-counter medications, prescription medications, or cocaine) within several weeks of the PET study and will be required to provide urine for drug testing. People who qualify for the study will be required to come into UPMC Presbyterian Hospital/WPIC an additional seven times to undergo imaging-related procedures (five times for urine drug screen, one time for MRI, and one time for PET/CT scan). Researchers will use these scans to measure PDE10a levels in the brain.