Opioid Use Disorder and Pain
Yale University
Summary
The goal of this observational study is to characterize the brain processes of pain avoidance learning dysfunctions in individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD). The main questions it aims to answer are: Compared with healthy controls, do those with OUD exhibit impaired avoidance learning in response to pain? What are the brain processes that are associated with this avoidance learning dysfunction? Do these brain processes serve to predict future use or relapse? Researchers will compare those with OUD and healthy controls to determine avoidance learning dysfunction and its relationship with opioid use. Participants will be performing a learning task inside an fMRI scanner. Those with OUD will also be followed up for a year to determine future opioid use.
Description
Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) is a chronic condition with exceptionally high relapse rates. Over 80% of patients receiving treatment relapse within a year. To understand the etiological processes of OUD, investigators have focused on reward seeking as a primary drinking motive. However, whereas reward and sensation seeking may be central to the early stages of OUD, it is posited that drinking as an avoidance coping behavior plays a more critical role in the maintenance of OUD. Specifically, as opioid escalates, consumption is increasingly driven by individuals' enhanced sensitivity to the aversive…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 21–60 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Patients with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) To be eligible for inclusion in the study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria: 1. Between ages 21-60 years old. 2. Able to read and write and provide written informed consent. 3. Meet DSM-5 criteria for moderate to severe opioid use disorder; self-reported excessive opioid use prior to study entry and verified by urine toxicology testing; seeking treatment for their OUD. 4. Physically healthy with no major medical illnesses, history of head injury or any neurological illness 5. No plans to relocate out of state in the next 12 months…
Interventions
- Behavioralfollow up interviews for 12 months to determine opioid use
Follow-up
Location
- Connecticut Mental Health Center, S105New Haven, Connecticut