Could a tiny dose of buprenorphine boost social drive in schizophrenia?
NCT ID NCT05778591
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether a low dose of buprenorphine (0.15 mg) can improve social motivation in 40 people with schizophrenia. Participants will take either the drug or a placebo and complete tasks that measure their drive to seek or avoid social interaction. The goal is to see if buprenorphine can increase approach motivation and reduce avoidance motivation, potentially leading to a new treatment for social deficits.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- buprenorphine
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could lead to the first medication specifically for social motivation deficits in schizophrenia.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial with only 40 participants. The drug may not improve social motivation, or effects may not last. Buprenorphine can cause side effects like drowsiness or nausea.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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About 40 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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May 2024
- Expected to finish
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Mar 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 60 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Ages 18-60 2. able to understand spoken English sufficiently to comprehend testing procedures 3. score below the mean of participants screened previously screened on the Lubben Social Network Scale 4. DSM-5 diagnosis of schizophrenia 5. clinical stability (i.e., no inpatient hospitalizations for six months prior to enrollment, no changes in medication in for 6 months prior to enrollment, no current positive symptoms greater than moderate) c) no history of IQ less than 70 or developmental disability, based on medical history d) no current use of opioid medication e) no clinically significant neurological disease (e.g., epilepsy), cardiovascular condition (e.g. cardiac arrhythmia), or respiratory condition (e.g., asthma) based on medical history 1. no history of serious head injury (i.e., loss of consciousness longer than 1 hour, neuropsychological sequelae, cognitive rehabilitation treatment after head injury) based on medical history 2. no substance or alcohol use disorder in the past six months, or history of opioid use disorder 3. no sedatives, benzodiazepines within 24 hours of testing 4. no positive urine toxicology screen or visible intoxication on the day of assessment 5. no women who are pregnant or think that they might be pregnant, based on self-report and urine test
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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UCLA Semel Institute
RECRUITINGLos Angeles, California, 90095, United States
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