Effects of Topiramate on Adolescent Alcohol Use: Efficacy and Mechanisms

• Status: Completed
• Trial end date: 2017-04-12
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

This study will help to determine whether the medication, topiramate, reduces alcohol use among adolescents with alcohol dependence. It will also help answer the question, "How does topiramate reduce drinking in teenagers?" Understanding how topiramate may reduce drinking in adolescents would allow for a more targeted pharmacotherapeutic approach to treatment and help to identify additional medications that may hold promise for improving treatment outcomes for youth.

• Phase: Phase 1/Phase 2
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Details

• Lead Sponsor: Brown University
• Treatments: Topiramate

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• 14-24 years old (inclusive)

• Non-treatment seeking for alcohol abuse or dependence

• Interest in reducing alcohol use

• Self-reported alcohol use at least 2 days/week during prior 28 days

• Able to read simple English

Exclusion Criteria:

• Alcohol or substance abuse treatment in the past 30 days

• Clinically significant medical abnormalities

• History of renal impairment, renal stones, or unstable hypertension

• History of progressive neurodegenerative disorders or clinical significant neurological disorders

• Body mass index lower than 18

• Pregnant, nursing, or refusal to use reliable birth control, if female

• Non-stabilized psychotropic medication and/or taking medication that is contraindicated for use with topiramate

• Medications that may effect alcohol use or a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor

• Suicidal or psychotic

• Current coexisting substance use disorders other than alcohol, caffeine, cannabis, or nicotine use disorders

• Clinically significant alcohol withdrawal symptoms

• Impaired cognitive functioning

• Living with an active study participant

• Compelled to treatment by the juvenile justice system