Longitudinal Neural Fingerprinting of Opioid-use Trajectories

Description

This project aims to collect a densely sampled neuroimaging dataset among individuals receiving medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). MOUD is multiphasic, comprised of medication induction, stabilization, ongoing treatment, and eventual dis-continuation phases. However, with a few small exceptions, existing neuroimaging efforts are almost exclusively single time-point assessments which, by definition, fail to capture these clinically relevant transitions and thus also do not capture individual risk and resilience trajectories. The investigators innovation, the characterization of neurocomputational trajectories during clinically relevant phases of MOUD treatment, will provide unprecedented mechanistic insight into the neurobiological basis of recovery. Once characterized, such trajectories may be used in the identification of specific therapeutic windows for additional intervention (e.g., times of increased neural plasticity) and in the design of novel tailored interventions based on known brain mechanisms (e.g., behavioral therapy, neurostimulation, neurofeedback).

Conditions

Opioid Use Disorder

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

This project aims to collect a densely sampled neuroimaging dataset among individuals receiving medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). MOUD is multiphasic, comprised of medication induction, stabilization, ongoing treatment, and eventual dis-continuation phases. However, with a few small exceptions, existing neuroimaging efforts are almost exclusively single time-point assessments which, by definition, fail to capture these clinically relevant transitions and thus also do not capture individual risk and resilience trajectories. The investigators innovation, the characterization of neurocomputational trajectories during clinically relevant phases of MOUD treatment, will provide unprecedented mechanistic insight into the neurobiological basis of recovery. Once characterized, such trajectories may be used in the identification of specific therapeutic windows for additional intervention (e.g., times of increased neural plasticity) and in the design of novel tailored interventions based on known brain mechanisms (e.g., behavioral therapy, neurostimulation, neurofeedback).

Longitudinal Neural Fingerprinting of Opioid-use Trajectories

Longitudinal Neural Fingerprinting of Opioid-use Trajectories

Condition
Opioid Use Disorder
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

New Haven

MRRC at The Anlyan Center, New Haven, Connecticut, United States, 06520

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * within the first 6 months of methadone treatment for OUD and on a stable dose of methadone
  • * eligibility for MRI scanning
  • * willing to commit to longitudinal study visits
  • * current psychosis, mania, or suicidal ideation with intent, as assessed during screening with the SCID-5
  • * current co-occurring severe substance-use disorders (excluding nicotine and opioids), as assessed during screening with the SCID-5
  • * current intoxication or acute withdrawal at time of study visit sufficient to prevent participation based on: behavioral observation, breathalyzer, and SOWS assessment (these individuals will be allowed to enroll at a later date once stable)
  • * severe cognitive impairment (determined through consent process conducted by trained clinical research staff and during consent quiz or as indicated by a PROMIS Cognitive Function t-score \<30 (i.e., score indicating severe impairment)
  • * Past or present history of intellectual disability or developmental disorder
  • * Neurological disease (including seizures or epilepsy) as assessed by self-report and by consulting clinic records
  • * Head trauma with loss of consciousness of more than 30 minutes
  • * Organ dysfunction or any unstable or untreated medical conditions that may alter cerebral function or interfere with study participation

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to 50 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

Yale University,

Sarah Yip, PhD, MSc, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Yale School of Medicine

Study Record Dates

2026-01