Effectiveness of GABA Agonists in Reducing the Reinforcing Effects of Cocaine

• Status: Completed
• Trial end date: 2005-05-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

Cocaine abuse continues to represent a significant public-health concern. Cocaine likely creates its addictive effects by increasing levels of dopamine, a chemical found in the brain. GABA agonists are chemicals that have the opposite effect of cocaine by inhibiting the release of dopamine. The purpose of this study is to determine whether GABA agonists reduce the psychological and physiological reinforcing effects of cocaine.

• Phase: Phase 2
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: No

Details

• Lead Sponsor: National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
• Treatments: Baclofen; Cocaine; GABA Agonists; Tiagabine; Triazolam

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Recent use of cocaine

• Meets DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for psychoactive substance abuse or dependence for cocaine

• Positive drug urine screen for cocaine at time of initial screening interview

• Reports self-administration of at least 1,260 mg of cocaine during the 4 weeks prior to study start date

• Body Mass Index (BMI) of less than 29

• Females must use an effective form of contraception throughout the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Meets DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for psychoactive substance dependence for substances other than cocaine or nicotine

• Currently seeking treatment for substance abuse/dependence

• Current or past history of physical disease, impaired cardiovascular functioning, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

• History of seizure, head traumas, or central nervous system tumors

• Current or past history of serious psychiatric disorder other than substance abuse or dependence

• Family history of cardiovascular disease or seizure disorders