Skip to content

LIFU for Treatment for Refractory Opioid Use Disorder

A Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial Investigating Low Intensity Focused Ultrasound as a Novel Treatment for Refractory Opioid Use Disorder

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06218706
Enrollment
34
Registered
2024-01-23
Start date
2024-05-09
Completion date
2028-03-01
Last updated
2026-02-17

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

Conditions

Opioid Use Disorder

Brief summary

This is a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, partial crossover study investigating LIFU targeting the NAc and VC for participants with severe, treatment refractory OUD.

Detailed description

The overall objective of this study is to assess the safety, tolerability, and feasibility of using Low Intensity Focused Ultrasound (LIFU) to treat opioid use disorder (OUD) as well as investigate the potential impact on substance use and risk factors associated with drug use recurrence.

Interventions

DEVICELow Intensity Focussed Ultrasound

The major objective of this study is to further test safety, tolerability, and feasibility of LIFU in this population as well as investigate the impact of LIFU on opioid and other substance use. The primary endpoint is 90 days (Post-LIFU Week 12) following Active/Sham LIFU. After the primary endpoint is reached, the blind will be broken and the group who received Sham LIFU will cross-over and receive Active LIFU

Sponsors

Ali Rezai
Lead SponsorOTHER
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
CollaboratorNIH

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)

Masking description

Randomization will occur after all inclusion criteria have been met at which time participants will be randomized 1:1 to either the Active or the Sham arm.This study will be performed in a double-blind manner, with participants as well as investigators and study staff involved with assessments unaware of treatment assignment.

Intervention model description

Randomization will occur after all inclusion criteria have been met at which time participants will be randomized 1:1 to either the Active or the Sham arm. After a participant completes the Week 12 post-LIFU study visit, that participant's treatment assignment is unblinded. Participants randomized to the Sham arm will be crossed over and receive Active LIFU after specified baseline procedures/assessments

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
22 Years to 60 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Aged 22 - 60 years at time of enrollment. * Fulfill current DSM-5 (American Psychiatric Association diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 5th ed, 2013) diagnostic criteria for severe OUD with at least a 2-year history. * Women of reproductive potential must have negative pregnancy test and agree to use acceptable forms of contraception.

Exclusion criteria

* Unable to undergo MR-imaging because of non-MR compatible implants (e.g., pacemakers, medication pumps, aneurysm clips, metallic prostheses (including metal pins and rods, heart valves or cochlear implants), shrapnel fragments, permanent make-up or small metal fragments in the eye that welders and other metal workers may have), or if candidates are uncomfortable in small spaces (have claustrophobia) or cannot lie comfortably on their back for 2-3 hours. * History of any clinically significant neurological disorder (e.g., brain surgery, tumors, uncontrolled epilepsy, or any others deemed clinically significant by the investigator). * History of stroke or brain lesion in the targeted brain region (the NAc, ventral striatum, or VC). * Implanted neurostimulators (e.g., vagus nerve stimulator, spinal cord stimulator, DBS). * Documentation of clinically significant MRI abnormality indicative of a neurological condition or abnormality that may jeopardize the participant's safety, study conduct, or confound the participant's diagnostic assessments. * More than 30% of the skull area traversed by the sonication pathway is covered by scars, scalp disorders (e.g., eczema), or atrophy of the scalp. * Subject with chronic pulmonary disorders e.g. severe emphysema, pulmonary vasculitis, or other causes of reduced pulmonary vascular cross-sectional area. * Subject with impaired renal function with estimated glomerular filtration rate \<30 mL/min/1.73m2 * Hepatic function laboratory values which are \> 1.5 times the upper limit of normal unless deemed not clinically significant by a study investigator. * Past or present diagnosis of schizophrenia or psychotic disorder. * Subject unwilling to attempt abstinence from illicit substance use during the course of the study. * Unable to speak, read and understand English. * Subject is considered to be a poor surgical or study candidate, which may include, but is not limited to the following: any medical, social, or psychological problem that could complicate the required procedures and evaluations of the study in the judgment of the investigator.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Occurrence of Treatment Emergent Adverse EventsPost-ExAblate Procedure through 90 day Follow-UpSafety will be assessed by recording all adverse events that are treatment related. Each Adverse Event will be documented for patterns of occurrence.
Changes in Opioid UsePost-ExAblate Procedure through 90 day Follow-UpChanges in opioid use will be measured using quantitative urine toxicology via liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS).

Countries

United States

Contacts

CONTACTJames Mahoney
jsmes.mahoney@hsc.wvu.edu3042935323
CONTACTJennifer Marton
jennifer.marton@hsc.wvu.edu3042935886
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORAli Rezai

Executive Director WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 18, 2026