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Purpose

Cocaine potently inhibits the reuptake of serotonin (5-HT). Increased synaptic 5-HT resulting from this reuptake inhibition activates multiple 5-HT receptor subtypes. Some of these receptor subtypes have been implicated in the abuse-related effects of cocaine, including its primary reinforcing effects (i.e., cocaine taking behavior). 5-HT1b receptors, which are autoreceptors on 5-HT nerve endings that regulate 5-HT release and heteroreceptors that also mediate other neurotransmitter release, play a particularly important role in cocaine effects, likely because they are highly expressed in the mesocorticolimbic system. The 5-HT1b system displays profound dysregulation during both active cocaine use and abstinence. Initial preclinical research showed that selective 5-HT1b agonists enhanced the reinforcing and locomotor effects of cocaine during ongoing cocaine administration, but subsequent research showed that these agents robustly attenuated reinstatement of cocaine- and cue-primed cocaine seeking behavior. These findings have been replicated in rigorously conducted studies using multiple schedules of reinforcement and negative sucrose reinforcement controls across laboratories. Notably, though, these preclinical studies used compounds not approved for use in humans, hindering translation. Recently published data show that zolmitriptan, a commercially available selective 5-HT1b agonist migraine medication, also selectively attenuates the reinforcing and other abuse-related effects of cocaine, regardless of stage of use (i.e., ongoing or extinguished cocaine self-administration). Although a robust preclinical literature supports the premise that 5-HT1b activation reduces a number of cocaine-associated behaviors (e.g., self-administration, cocaine seeking), this area remains unstudied in humans. The overarching goal of this project is to advance these promising preclinical findings, specifically those with zolmitriptan, to a clinical population, thereby demonstrating that the 5-HT1b system plays a key role in the effects of cocaine in humans

Condition

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Between 18 Years and 55 Years
Eligible Genders
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Inclusion Criteria

  • Recent cocaine use

Exclusion Criteria

  • Abnormal screening outcome (e.g., ECG, blood chemistry result) that study physicians deem clinically significant - Current or past histories of substance use disorder that are deemed by the study physicians to interfere with study completion - History of serious physical disease, current physical disease, impaired cardiovascular functioning, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, history of seizure or current or past histories of serious psychiatric disorder that in the opinion of the study physician would interfere with study participation will be excluded from participation - Females not currently using effective birth control - Contraindications to cocaine or zolmitriptan

Study Design

Phase
Early Phase 1
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Crossover Assignment
Primary Purpose
Basic Science
Masking
Triple (Participant, Care Provider, Outcomes Assessor)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Placebo Comparator
Placebo
Subjects will be maintained on oral placebo. Cocaine will be administered acutely during placebo maintenance. Placebo will be administered acutely during placebo maintenance.
  • Drug: Cocaine
    The pharmacodynamic effects of cocaine will be determined during maintenance on placebo and zolmitriptan.
  • Drug: Placebo oral capsule
    The pharmacodynamic effects of placebo will be determined.
Experimental
Zolmitriptan Dose 1
Subjects will be maintained on oral zolmitriptan dose 1. Cocaine will be administered acutely during zolmitriptan dose 1 maintenance. Placebo will be administered acutely during zolmitriptan dose 1 maintenance.
  • Drug: Cocaine
    The pharmacodynamic effects of cocaine will be determined during maintenance on placebo and zolmitriptan.
Experimental
Zolmitriptan Dose 2
Subjects will be maintained on oral zolmitriptan dose 2. Cocaine will be administered acutely during zolmitriptan dose 2 maintenance. Placebo will be administered acutely during zolmitriptan dose 2 maintenance.
  • Drug: Cocaine
    The pharmacodynamic effects of cocaine will be determined during maintenance on placebo and zolmitriptan.
  • Drug: Zolmitriptan
    The pharmacodynamic effects of zolmitriptan maintenance will be determined.
Experimental
Zolmitriptan Dose 3
Subjects will be maintained on oral zolmitriptan dose 3. Cocaine will be administered acutely during zolmitriptan dose 3 maintenance. Placebo will be administered acutely during zolmitriptan dose 3 maintenance.
  • Drug: Cocaine
    The pharmacodynamic effects of cocaine will be determined during maintenance on placebo and zolmitriptan.
  • Drug: Zolmitriptan
    The pharmacodynamic effects of zolmitriptan maintenance will be determined.

Recruiting Locations

UK Center for Clinical and Translational Science and nearby locations

University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky 40507
Contact:
William W Stoops, PhD
859-257-5388
william.stoops@uky.edu

More Details

NCT ID
NCT05019430
Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
William Stoops

Study Contact

William W Stoops, PhD
859-257-5388
william.stoops@uky.edu

Notice

Study information shown on this site is derived from ClinicalTrials.gov (a public registry operated by the National Institutes of Health). The listing of studies provided is not certain to be all studies for which you might be eligible. Furthermore, study eligibility requirements can be difficult to understand and may change over time, so it is wise to speak with your medical care provider and individual research study teams when making decisions related to participation.