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Feasibility of Deep Brain Stimulation as a Novel Treatment for Refractory Opioid Use Disorder

Feasibility of Deep Brain Stimulation as a Novel Treatment for Refractory

Status
Active, not recruiting
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03950492
Acronym
DBS_OUD
Enrollment
4
Registered
2019-05-15
Start date
2019-09-30
Completion date
2026-12-31
Last updated
2025-07-28

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Opioid-Related Disorders

Keywords

Deep Brain Stimulation

Brief summary

The purpose of this clinical study is to investigate the safety, tolerability, and feasibility of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and ventral internal capsule (VC) for participants with treatment refractory opioid use disorder (OUD) who have cognitive, behavioral, and functional disability. This study will also provide critical information for planning subsequent clinical trials.

Detailed description

The overarching goal of this study is to evaluate the safety, tolerability, feasibility and impact on outcomes of NAc/VC DBS for treatment refractory OUD. In treatment refractory OUD, innovative approaches and more invasive interventions including DBS are warranted to improve outcomes.

Interventions

DEVICEDeep Brain Simulator

This is an open-label, safety, tolerability, and feasibility study for participants who have treatment refractory OUD that are eligible to have DBS targeting the NAc/VC.

Sponsors

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
CollaboratorNIH
Medtronic
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
West Virginia University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE

Intervention model description

This is an open-label, safety, tolerability, and feasibility study for participants who have treatment refractory OUD that are eligible to have deep brain stimulation (DBS) targeting the NAc/VC.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
21 Years to 50 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Fulfills current DSM-5 (American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 5th ed, 2013) diagnostic criteria for OUD (severe) and at least a 5-year history. * Participants may have comorbid SUD diagnoses at mild, moderate or severe levels, however OUD must be the primary disorder for which the individual is seeking treatment and the other use disorders must occur in the context of relapse * Failed at least two levels of treatment (outpatient/Comprehensive Opioid Addiction Treatment (COAT), intensive outpatient/intensive COAT, residential, inpatient, Adult Intensive Outpatient Program (AIOP), Dual Diagnosis Unit (DDU), which included buprenorphine/naloxone. * At least two overdose survivals or one overdose survival and one life-threatening infectious disease complication with relapse after treatment (e.g., endocarditis with valve repair/replacement) within the past 1 year. * Family/Social Support/Involvement (as assessed via the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support). * Is able to provide informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

* Medical problems requiring intensive medical or diagnostic management. * Diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction or cardiac arrest within the previous 6 months. * History of a neurosurgical ablation procedure. * Any medical contraindications to undergoing DBS surgery. * History of hemorrhagic stroke. * Life expectancy of \<3 years * Past or present diagnosis of schizophrenia, psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, or untreated depression other than one determined to be substance induced (assessed via SCID-5). Any treated depression has to have been in remission for one year. * Baseline assessment on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) of greater than 17 or increased risk of suicide based upon any positive response on the Columbia Suicide Severity Scale. * Cluster A or B Personality Disorders. * Diagnosis of dementia. * History of neurological disorder. * History of previous neurosurgery (brain) or head trauma. * History of suicide attempt. * Parental history of completed suicide. * Abnormal coagulation lab studies or uncontrolled hypertension. * Implanted neurostimulators. * Any current CNS infection or infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). * Unable to undergo MR-imaging. * Documentation of MRI abnormality indicative of a neurological condition. * Substance abuse treatment mandated by court of law. * Pregnant or planning to become pregnant. * Conditions requiring diathermy. * Anticoagulant treatment. * Primary language other than English. * Any evidence of systemic infection.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Total Number of Study-Emergent Adverse EventsEnrollment - 52 weeksStudy participants will be closely monitored for adverse events following DBS surgery with regular check-ups by study personnel.
Change in Opioid Use12 weeksOpioid use as measured by quantitative urine toxicology via high pressure liquid chromatography.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Treatment Retention12 - 52 weeksParticipants' retention in traditional medication assisted treatment (MAT).
Mood, Craving and Executive Function12 and 24 weeks post surgeryParticipants will complete standardized measures of mood, drug craving, and executive function at 12 weeks and 24 weeks post DBS titration.
Incidence of Serious Infectious Disease Complications12 - 52 weeksLaboratory tests and evaluation to discern presentation of infectious disease.
Participant Survival12 -52 weeksIncidence of drug overdose deaths among the participants.

Other

MeasureTime frameDescription
Frontal Lobe Metabolism3 weeks and 12 weeks post surgery18fluoro-Deoxy-Glucose (FDG) PET will be use to determine if there is an increase in frontal lobe metabolism following DBS
Changes in Dopamine3 weeks and 12 weeks post surgeryC11 Raclopride PET may be used to examine for changes in dopamine at 12 weeks post titration.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
OUD DBS
This is a single arm study. Participants will be followed in an inpatient service for two weeks to gather baseline data followed by DBS placement and up to 6 weeks inpatient for clinical stabilization and DBS titration. All participants will then be followed twice a week for 12 weeks in the outpatient setting and then once a week for a total of 52 weeks post-titration. Deep Brain Simulator: This is an open-label, safety, tolerability, and feasibility study for participants who have treatment refractory OUD that are eligible to have DBS targeting the NAc/VC.
4
Total4

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicOUD DBS
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
0 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
4 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
4 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
4 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
0 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
4 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 4
other
Total, other adverse events
4 / 4
serious
Total, serious adverse events
1 / 4

Outcome results

Primary

Change in Opioid Use

Opioid use as measured by quantitative urine toxicology via high pressure liquid chromatography.

Time frame: 12 weeks

ArmMeasureGroupValue (NUMBER)
OUD DBSChange in Opioid UseNumber of Participant's Opioid Negative through 12 Week Endpoint2 participants
OUD DBSChange in Opioid UseNumber of Participant's Opioid Positive through 12 Week Endpoint2 participants
Primary

Total Number of Study-Emergent Adverse Events

Study participants will be closely monitored for adverse events following DBS surgery with regular check-ups by study personnel.

Time frame: Enrollment - 52 weeks

ArmMeasureGroupValue (NUMBER)
OUD DBSTotal Number of Study-Emergent Adverse EventsModerate AE - Unrelated20 Adverse Events
OUD DBSTotal Number of Study-Emergent Adverse EventsSevere AE - Unlikely Related2 Adverse Events
OUD DBSTotal Number of Study-Emergent Adverse EventsTotal Mild AEs74 Adverse Events
OUD DBSTotal Number of Study-Emergent Adverse EventsMild AE - Unexpected32 Adverse Events
OUD DBSTotal Number of Study-Emergent Adverse EventsMild AE- Expected42 Adverse Events
OUD DBSTotal Number of Study-Emergent Adverse EventsTotal Moderate AEs29 Adverse Events
OUD DBSTotal Number of Study-Emergent Adverse EventsModerate AE - Unexpected20 Adverse Events
OUD DBSTotal Number of Study-Emergent Adverse EventsModerate AE - Expected9 Adverse Events
OUD DBSTotal Number of Study-Emergent Adverse EventsTotal Severe AEs5 Adverse Events
OUD DBSTotal Number of Study-Emergent Adverse EventsSevere AE - Unexpected4 Adverse Events
OUD DBSTotal Number of Study-Emergent Adverse EventsSevere AE - Expected1 Adverse Events
OUD DBSTotal Number of Study-Emergent Adverse EventsMild AE - Definitely Related (Surgical Procedure)1 Adverse Events
OUD DBSTotal Number of Study-Emergent Adverse EventsMild AE - Definitely Related (Disorder)1 Adverse Events
OUD DBSTotal Number of Study-Emergent Adverse EventsMild AE - Probably Related (Surgical Procedure/Stimulation)1 Adverse Events
OUD DBSTotal Number of Study-Emergent Adverse EventsMild AE - Probably Related (Stimulation)2 Adverse Events
OUD DBSTotal Number of Study-Emergent Adverse EventsMild AE - Probably Related (Disorder)30 Adverse Events
OUD DBSTotal Number of Study-Emergent Adverse EventsMild AE - Possibly Related (Stimulation/Disorder)4 Adverse Events
OUD DBSTotal Number of Study-Emergent Adverse EventsMild AE - Possibly Related (Stimulation)1 Adverse Events
OUD DBSTotal Number of Study-Emergent Adverse EventsMild AE - Possibly Related (Disorder)1 Adverse Events
OUD DBSTotal Number of Study-Emergent Adverse EventsMild AE - Unlikely Related6 Adverse Events
OUD DBSTotal Number of Study-Emergent Adverse EventsMild AE - Unrelated27 Adverse Events
OUD DBSTotal Number of Study-Emergent Adverse EventsModerate AE - Probably Related (Surgical Procedure)1 Adverse Events
OUD DBSTotal Number of Study-Emergent Adverse EventsModerate AE - Probably Related (Stimulation/Disorder)1 Adverse Events
OUD DBSTotal Number of Study-Emergent Adverse EventsModerate AE - Probably Related (Disorder)5 Adverse Events
OUD DBSTotal Number of Study-Emergent Adverse EventsModerate AE - Possibly Related (Disorder)1 Adverse Events
OUD DBSTotal Number of Study-Emergent Adverse EventsModerate AE - Unlikely Related1 Adverse Events
OUD DBSTotal Number of Study-Emergent Adverse EventsSevere AE - Possibly Related (Surgical Procedure)1 Adverse Events
OUD DBSTotal Number of Study-Emergent Adverse EventsSevere AE - Possibly Related (Disorder)2 Adverse Events
Secondary

Incidence of Serious Infectious Disease Complications

Laboratory tests and evaluation to discern presentation of infectious disease.

Time frame: 12 - 52 weeks

Secondary

Mood, Craving and Executive Function

Participants will complete standardized measures of mood, drug craving, and executive function at 12 weeks and 24 weeks post DBS titration.

Time frame: 12 and 24 weeks post surgery

Secondary

Participant Survival

Incidence of drug overdose deaths among the participants.

Time frame: 12 -52 weeks

Secondary

Treatment Retention

Participants' retention in traditional medication assisted treatment (MAT).

Time frame: 12 - 52 weeks

Other Pre-specified

Changes in Dopamine

C11 Raclopride PET may be used to examine for changes in dopamine at 12 weeks post titration.

Time frame: 3 weeks and 12 weeks post surgery

Other Pre-specified

Frontal Lobe Metabolism

18fluoro-Deoxy-Glucose (FDG) PET will be use to determine if there is an increase in frontal lobe metabolism following DBS

Time frame: 3 weeks and 12 weeks post surgery

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026