Could a brain drug curb meth addiction?
NCT ID NCT03341078
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether ibudilast, a drug that reduces brain inflammation, can help people addicted to methamphetamine. 176 participants took either ibudilast or a placebo for 6 weeks. Researchers used brain scans and thinking tests to see if the drug improved brain function and connectivity.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- ibudilast
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could point toward a new medication to help people stop using methamphetamine.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial focused on brain changes, not on stopping drug use directly. The drug may not work in larger studies.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR
Portland, Oregon, 97207-2964, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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