Current treatments for opioid dependence would benefit by the addition of a non-opioid based treatment medication. Recent pre-clinical studies have demonstrated the involvement of the NK1 rector in opioid reward and withdrawal. This study proposes to investigate a clinically available NK1 antagonist, aprepitant, in opioid dependent patients. Based on the unique behavioral and pharmacological characteristics of opioid addiction, and what is known of the currently employed treatments, we propose that the therapeutic mechanism of any potential opioid addiction treatment medication must include the ability to reduce opioid withdrawal. This is of particular importance during treatment initiation (e.g., detoxification). In addition, for long-term treatment and relapse prevention it is important to manage drug craving, to ameliorate the effects of stress, and inhibit the rewarding effects of opioids if patients do experience a slip. Therefore, we propose to study aprepitant in the clinical laboratory, using models of acute opioid reward, reinforcement and withdrawal, as well as stress- and cue-exposure responding.

Public Health Relevance

This study proposes to investigate a clinically available NK1 antagonist, aprepitant, in opioid dependent patients. Aprepitant will be tested in the clinical laboratory, using models of acute opioid reward, reinforcement and withdrawal, as well as stress- and cue-exposure responding.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DA027151-02
Application #
7886851
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZDA1-EXL-T (06))
Program Officer
Bough, Kristopher J
Project Start
2009-07-01
Project End
2013-05-31
Budget Start
2010-06-01
Budget End
2012-05-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$369,433
Indirect Cost
Name
New York University
Department
Psychiatry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
121911077
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10016