Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Opioid Withdrawal in Healthy Human Volunteers
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2013-07-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Opioid medications are commonly used for pain relief. When given over time, physical
dependence can occur. This results in unpleasant side effects--such as agitation and
nausea--if opioid medications are suddenly stopped. However, we do not know how withdrawal
affects the brain. We know that a medication named Ondansetron can help ease or prevent
symptoms associated with opioid withdrawal. Through imaging of the brain by fMRI, we hope to
see how opioid withdrawal, with and without the administration of ondansetron, affects brain
activity.