Clinical Research Directory

tAN for Substance Use Disorder

The study will involve a 5-day tAN treatment to attenuate alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) and alter resting state functional connectivity (RSFC) between OFC and striatum in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Enrolled participants will wear the tAN device on-site (at The Menninger Clinic) for the 5-day detox treatment period. Participants with AUD will be single-blinded randomized into 2 groups - a treatment group (active tAN) and a placebo group (sham tAN). Each group will consist of five separate time points - admission, screening, baseline, tAN treatment, and post tAN treatment. Clinical measures collected before, during, and after treatment will include alcohol withdrawal severity, craving, benzodiazepine usage, and assessments of depression and suicidal behaviors. Participants will undergo MRI scans before and after the treatment period to assess changes in brain connectivity and their relationship to clinical outcomes.

Safety and Effectiveness of the BrainsWay Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (Deep TMS) for Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

The study will compare alcohol use in two groups of subjects. One group will be assigned to the Deep TMS treatment and the other group will be assigned to the sham treatment. This is a prospective, 6-month, double blind, randomized, controlled, multi-center trial in outpatients recruited in both academic and private research centers. The study population will consist of subjects diagnosed with moderate to severe AUD. The study is comprised of three phases: 1. Pre-study Screening and Baseline Phase 2. Acute Treatment Phase and 3. Maintenance Treatment and Follow up Phase Subjects of all ethnic and gender categories, ages ranging between 18-86 years will be screened for study eligibility according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Subjects who meet the eligibility criteria and are willing to sign an informed consent form will be enrolled in the study. The subjects' demographic and baseline characteristics, as well as their overall medical condition will be assessed prior to treatment administration. Eligible patients will be randomized with a 1:1 ratio to one of two study groups (treatment or sham) and stratified by site. Randomization will be employed to avoid bias in the assignment of subjects to treatment group. All subjects will undergo the same treatment regimen, regardless of the assigned treatment group. The acute treatment phase will include 15 treatment visits over a period of 3-5 weeks. The Maintenance Treatment \& Follow-up phase will include one treatment visit per week from the end of the Acute Treatment Phase until the 6 month follow-up visit. At each treatment session, prior to stimulation onset, alcohol related cues will be presented to the subject. After the offset of the alcohol cue presentation, active or sham Deep TMS stimulation will be administered. The study design is directed towards a comparison between active treatment and sham, up to 4 months and 6 months follow-up. Efficacy will be assessed using the primary efficacy measure of the percent heavy drinking days during months 2-4, based on the Time Line Follow Back (TLFB) reporting. Additionally, several subject assessment scales will be used during the course of the study to assess alcohol use and alcohol craving. Safety will be assessed, including monitoring the severity, causality and frequency of all adverse events, vital signs, and physical and neurological examination.

Adaptation and Evaluation of Bright Horizons

This study will test if a program called 'Bright Horizons' is effective at reducing binge substance use among adolescents. Bright Horizons is a culturally adapted intervention developed and tested through a partnership between The White Mountain Apache Tribe and Johns Hopkins University. Bright Horizons is a brief intervention that teaches emotion regulation, coping skills, and problem solving. The intervention also uses goal setting to reduce alcohol and other substance use and to connect to individuals with treatment.

Improving Help-seeking Propensity Through a Micro-intervention Targeting Common Concerns Among Individuals With Alcohol Problems: A Randomized Controlled Experiment

Many people who have risky alcohol use or alcohol dependence do not seek help, often is due to concerns about potential consequences or feelings of shame. At the same time, the prognosis is good for those who do seek help and there are effective treatments available. This project aims to investigate whether increased information about the process can lower these barriers, and in turn encourage more people to seek help for alcohol-related problems.

Psilocybin or Ketamine for Alcohol Use Disorder: An Active Comparator Trial

This study will collect data that measures the effects of a psychedelic intervention on patients struggling with alcohol use disorder (AUD). The study design will be a double blind, randomized, active-comparator trial with two study arms. Subjects randomized to Arm 1 (n=40) will receive individual psychotherapy sessions plus a 30 mg dose of psilocybin. Arm 2 subjects (n=40) will receive individual psychotherapy sessions and a 0.75 mg/kg dose of ketamine.

Factors Predicting Outcome in Group Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorders (AUDs)

Harmful alcohol use is a global risk factor for disease, injuries and death. Research on treatment of Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) indicates that different treatment modalities are equally effective, but also that a large group of patients do not change their drinking pattern despite being in treatment. It is assumed that it is not random who benefits from treatment. Thirty to forty percent of outcome variance in treatment is probably explained by patient factors, and we need more knowledge on how different patient factors moderate treatment effects. Further, clinicians also need more knowledge about selecting patients to different therapies. The present study will investigate how patient factors predict outcome in group treatment of AUDs, and what predicts positive treatment outcomes over time. The study is designed as a quasi-experimental, multi-centre, follow-up study. Patients will be included from Vestfold Hospital Trust, Borgestadklinikken, Blue Cross Clinic, Behandlingssenteret Eina, Blue Cross Clinic and A-senteret, Oslo, Church City Mission. The Project will provide more knowledge about patients seeking treatment for AUDs, and specifically how patient factors predict outcome in group treatment. These results will in turn lead to better selection of treatment modalities, and patients will receive a more effective treatment earlier on. Main aims: 1) How do patient factors predict outcome in group treatment of alcohol use disorders (AUDs)? 2) Do positive treatment outcomes last over time? Specifically, do the following factors: a) psychiatric comorbidity b) severity of alcohol use pre-treatment c) personality disorders and d) cognitive impairments predict 1) completion of group treatment and 2) positive outcome after 1 year. As an additional aim, we will investigate if the Montreal Cognitive Assessment test (MoCa) is feasible as a brief screening instrument for mild cognitive impairments for AUD patients.

Behavioral Economic and Wellness-based Approaches for Reducing Alcohol Use and Consequences Among Emerging Adults

The purpose of this study is to evaluate an intervention approach for non-student emerging adults that attempts to reduce alcohol use by decreasing stress and increasing engagement in positive and goal-directed activities that provide meaningful alternatives to alcohol use.

Developing Functional Connectivity-Guided TMS for Alcohol Use Disorder

Alcohol Use Disorders are currently positioned as the third leading cause of preventable death in the United States, constituting a humanitarian crisis with substantial financial burden on society and medical facilities. While several pharmacological interventions exist, 60% of individuals who seek these treatments relapse to alcohol within 6 months. These high relapse rates are due in part to elevated brain response to alcohol cues in the environment. This study seeks to evaluate the efficacy of one session of functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) guided transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) as a strategy to reduce brain reactivity to alcohol cues.

Reducing Hazardous Alcohol Use and Optimizing Treatment as Prevention Among Men Living With HIV in Risk Environments

The investigators developed the Kisoboka ("It is possible") Intervention to address limitations of existing evidence-based interventions to optimize treatment as prevention among men living with HIV who drink alcohol at hazardous levels in "risk environments" such as fishing communities through reductions in hazardous alcohol use, improved adherence to HIV medications and achieving undetectable HIV viral loads. Social and structural determinants unique to fishing communities interact to create a risk environment where hazardous drinking impedes adherence to HIV medications among men living with HIV, including prevalent social norms of drinking, drinking as a way of experiencing "reward" and connecting with others (e.g. in the context of transactional sex), stressful work conditions, a "live for today" outlook, and a cash-based economy with no traditional savings infrastructure leading to ease of daily expenditure on drinking and sex work. These social and environmental conditions result in high levels of alcohol misuse and HIV risk, poor HIV outcomes, and exacerbation of HIV-associated wellness comorbidities such as poor mental and subjective physical health and food insecurity. The goal of this study is to learn if the intervention called Kisoboka works to help men in fishing communities reduce hazardous alcohol use, be better able to take the participants HIV medication as prescribed, and have undetectable HIV viral loads. The investigators will compare the Kisoboka intervention to a brief alcohol screening, adherence counseling, and referrals, and to components of the Kisoboka intervention. Participants will attend intervention counseling sessions according to the study arm to which the participants are randomly assigned. The number of sessions ranges from 1 to 6 over 1 to 16 weeks and are individual only or both individual and group sessions.

Virtual Incentive Treatment for Alcohol

The overall objective of this program of research is to utilize phosphatidylethanol (PEth), a blood-based biomarker that can detect alcohol use for up to 28 days to deliver a feasible telehealth-based 26-week CM intervention. This study will test a telehealth PEth-based CM model in a sample of adults with AUD (n=200), recruited via online platforms by randomizing individuals to six months of 1) an online cognitive behavioral therapy for AUD (CBT4CBT) and telehealth PEth-based CM (CM condition) or 2) CBT4CBT and reinforcers for submitting blood samples (no abstinence required) (control condition). Investigators will assess group differences in PEth-defined abstinence and regular excessive drinking (PEth \>= 200 ng/mL), and alcohol-related harms (e.g., smoking, drug use). This study will address important gaps in CM research by assessing outcomes during a 12-month follow-up, which is much longer than most previous CM studies; using a conceptual model to identify predictors of post-treatment abstinence. Investigators will conduct an economic analysis to place the cost of this model in the context of downstream CM-associated cost-offsets and improvements in personal and public health.

An Economic and Relationship-strengthening Intervention to Reduce Alcohol Use in Malawi

With a full-scale randomized control trial, the investigators will evaluate the efficacy and cost effectiveness of Mlambe, an economic and relationship-strengthening intervention that provides incentivized saving accounts, financial literacy training, and relationship skills education to break the cycle of poverty around drinking, strengthen couple support and communication, and reduce heavy drinking among HIV-affected married couples with a partner who drinks alcohol in Malawi.

Team-based Learning Intervention to Prevent Risk Factors for Chronic Diseases - a Cluster Randomized Trial

Background: Chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer, are a major global health issue. Their modifiable risk factors, including poor diet, physical inactivity, irregular sleep, tobacco use, and excessive alcohol consumption, often emerge during adolescence and persist into adulthood. Early educational interventions can promote healthy habits and reduce their prevalence. Team-Based Learning (TBL), an active teaching method, has demonstrated effectiveness in improving knowledge and behaviors essential for a healthy lifestyle. Objective: evaluate whether a TBL-based educational intervention can improve adolescents' knowledge and habits related to chronic disease risk factors. Methods: A cluster randomized controlled trial (cRCT) will be conducted in public schools in Palmares, Brazil, targeting high school students aged 15-19 years. Fourteen schools will be randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The intervention, consisting of four TBL modules, will cover healthy eating, physical activity, screen time, sleep, tobacco, and alcohol use, delivered by graduate nursing students under faculty supervision. Data collection will take place at three time points: pre-intervention, post-intervention, and three months later. The control group will continue receiving standard health education. Primary outcomes will assess behavioral changes, while secondary outcomes will analyze body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure. Analysis: Data will be analyzed using SPSS, with descriptive statistics, paired and unpaired t-tests, ANOVA, and chi-square tests. The analysis will account for clustering and be conducted using intention-to-treat analysis. Statistical significance will be set at p\<0.05. Conclusion: The study will provide evidence on TBL as a scalable tool for preventing risk factors in adolescents, contributing to long-term public health benefits.

Using Neurofeedback to Understand the Relationship Between Stress and Alcohol Consumption

In this research project, the aim is to discover the role specific brain networks play in the relationship between stress reactions and the desire for alcohol and alcohol consumption. To investigate this question, various brain imaging methods as well as cognitive tasks are combined. Various questionnaires are sampled and brain scans are conducted. Individuals interested in participating in the study have to fulfill certain criteria... * no serious medical or mental health diagnosis * problematic alcohol drinking habits * interested in improving drinking habits ...and undergo various non-invasive procedures * filling out several questionnaires concerning personality and habits * undergoing a mental performance task while being in a brain scanner (MRI) * attempting to regulate their own brain activity while lying in the MRI scanner * filling out an electronic diary for 6 weeks - concerning daily mood, stress, and alcohol habits Participants will be randomly allocated to either one of 2 experimental groups. Both groups undergo the same tasks, receive the same instructions and only differ regarding some aspects of the brain self-regulation task .

Efficacy of Simvastatin in Alcoholic Liver Fibrosis

Evaluate the efficacy of simvastatin in reducing liver fibrosis in patients with advanced fibrosis due to alcohol

A Study of the Safety and Exploratory Efficacy of Oral AFA-281 in Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder

This study will evaluate the safety and exploratory efficacy of AFA-281 in patients with Alcohol use disorder on cravings, subjective response to alcohol, pain thresholds, anxiety, depression, and sleep.

Effect of Alcohol and Drugs of Abuse on Immune Function in Critically Ill Patients With Respiratory Failure

This study plans to learn more about people who are sick in the hospital with a lung infection, or respiratory failure. Respiratory failure, or severe lung failure, is a life-threatening disease. When it happens, the lungs have trouble carrying out their normal function of getting oxygen into the blood, and removing carbon dioxide from the body. Investigators are conducting this study to see what drinking too much alcohol, using tobacco products, or using drugs (both legal and illegal) may do to lung infections and respiratory failure. Subjects are asked to be in this research study because they are thought to have a lung infection and may also have respiratory failure. Alcohol, tobacco, and drug use have been linked to lung infections, respiratory failure, and even death, but the reasons for this aren't known. People who use unhealthy amounts of alcohol, tobacco, and or drugs may be more at risk for lung infections, and for severe complications due to lung infection. Subject participation is important whether or not you use alcohol and or drugs.

Effectiveness and Safety of Probiotics in Protecting Liver Function

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of using probiotics to protect the liver function of long-term alcohol consumers

Motivational Interviewing Intervention For Risky Drinking Treatment Among Indigenous Population

The goal of this single-arm trial is to adapt and evaluate the effectiveness of motivational interviewing intervention for treating risky drinking behaviour among indigenous population in Pahang, Malaysia. To achieve this, the investigators will: i) Translate 3 questionnaires regarding alcohol consumption from English into Jakun language (a language of one of Malaysia\&amp;amp;amp;#39;s indigenous communities) ii) Adapt a motivational interviewing intervention for treatment of risky drinking for this community iii) Implement the intervention and measure its outcomes using the translated questionnaires Participants will: i) Answer translated questionnaires during the validation of questionnaires (phase 1) ii) Receive 3 sessions of motivational interviewing (phase 2)

A SMART Evaluation of an Adaptive Web-based AUD Treatment for Service Members and Their Partners

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of an adaptive web intervention (Partners Connect) on military spouse drinking behaviors (CPs) and service member help-seeking (SMs). The investigators want to identify for whom this intervention is most efficacious and on what drinking behaviors and mechanisms. The investigators hypothesize that the intervention will reduce concerned partner drinking and increase service member help-seeking, compared to website resources, and that phone-based CRAFT will increase help-seeking behaviors, compared to those who are guided via a CRAFT workbook.

Biomarkers for the Detection of Heavy Alcohol Use in Patients With and Without Liver Disease

The investigators will test the validity of biomarkers for the detection of heavy alcohol use in patients with and without liver disease.

A Mobile Intervention for Black Individuals Who Engage in Hazardous Drinking

The purpose of this study is to develop and examine a culturally adapted, mobile health application for the Android and iOS platform. The application uses a personalized feedback intervention (PFI) designed to enhance knowledge regarding adverse anxiety-alcohol interrelations, increase motivation and intention to reduce hazardous drinking, and reduce positive attitudes and intention regarding anxiety-related alcohol use among Black hazardous drinkers with clinical anxiety.

Personalized Feedback Intervention for Latinx Drinkers With Anxiety

The purpose of this study is to develop, evaluate the acceptability/feasibility (Phase IA), and test (Phase IB) the effectiveness of a brief, integrated, single-session, computer-based, culturally adapted personalized feedback intervention (PFI) designed to enhance knowledge regarding adverse anxiety-alcohol interrelations, increase motivation and intention to reduce hazardous drinking, and reduce positive attitudes and intention regarding anxiety-related alcohol use among Latinx hazardous drinkers with anxiety.

Tracking Mood: The Effects of Daily Mood Tracking VAS on Alcohol Consumption in Adult Heavy Drinkers

The study aims to investigate the effects that mood tracking may have on the alcohol consumption of adults who consume more than 20 UK units of alcohol per week, classifying as high-risk drinkers. The intervention group will track their mood on a daily basis with a visual analogue scale, while the control group will report their daily time spent online. The hypothesis, based on a series of prior pilot studies on alcohol tracking methods, is that mood tracking can reduce alcohol consumption in high-risk drinkers and therefore be a suitable addition to interventions related to decreasing alcohol consumption in heavy drinkers. The study will be conducted online through the Prolific platform.

Mobile App for Latinx Hazardous Drinkers With Clinical Anxiety

The purpose of this study is to develop and examine a culturally adapted, brief, integrated, Spanish language mobile health application for the Android platform, optimized to deliver a personalized feedback intervention (PFI) designed to enhance knowledge regarding adverse anxiety-alcohol interrelations, increase motivation and intention to reduce hazardous drinking, and reduce positive attitudes and intention regarding anxiety-related alcohol use among Latinx hazardous drinkers with clinical anxiety.