Brain scans reveal hidden impact of opioid overdoses
NCT ID NCT05651516
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looked at whether opioid use disorder and non-fatal overdoses cause a harmful protein called tau to build up in the brain. Researchers used special PET/CT scans on 12 adults, including those with opioid use disorder and healthy volunteers. The goal was to understand long-term brain changes, not to test a treatment.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Early phase 1
The earliest testing in people: a first look at safety, in a very small group.
- Participants
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12 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Sep 2023
- Finished
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Jun 2026
- 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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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: OUD OD- group: 1. 18-60 years-old 2. Informed of the investigational nature of this study and able to provide written informed consent and participate in this study in accordance with institutional and federal guidelines prior to study-specific procedures. 3. Participants meet for lifetime OUD and are currently in medication-assisted treatment for OUD, which must include being on a stable dose of medication for at least 30 days prior to the screening visit. 4. No lifetime history of OD per self-report, Drug Overdose Questionnaire, and/or medical record review. OUD OD+ group: 1. 18-60 years-old 2. Informed of the investigational nature of this study and able to provide written informed consent and participate in this study in accordance with institutional and federal guidelines prior to study-specific procedures. 3. Participants meet for lifetime OUD and are currently in medication-assisted treatment for OUD, which must include being on a stable dose of medication for at least 30 days prior to the screening visit. 4. A history of at least 1 opioid OD that required naloxone reversal that occurred up to 5 years prior to study enrollment, as per self-report, Drug Overdose Questionnaire, and/or medical record review. Healthy Control (HC) group: 1. 18-60 years-old 2. Informed of the investigational nature of this study and able to provide written informed consent and participate in this study in accordance with institutional and federal guidelines prior to study-specific procedures. 3. Must have never met lifetime history for Alcohol Use Disorder, Substance Use Disorder --other than cannabis, tobacco or nicotine use disorder (as per DSM-5) and not used an opioid for any reason in the 30 days prior to screening by self-report, medical record review, and urine drug testing at screening. 4. Must provide a negative urine drug screen on the day of the screening, MRI and PET scan visits for all substances (other than cannabis). Exclusion Criteria: 1. HIV infection confirmed by an on-site rapid HIV test at screening. HIV affect neurocognitive function, even in otherwise asymptomatic individuals, which can confound the results of MRI testing. 2. The urine drug screening \& pregnancy test (for women of child-bearing potential) at the screening visit, MRI visit, and PET/CT scan visits must be negative for pregnancy (all groups) or will be deemed ineligible to participate. Participants in the healthy control group with a positive drug screen will be ineligible. 3. At screening, the participant's weight is \>350 lb. 4. Self-reported claustrophobia, which in the opinion of an investigator would interfere with acquisition of the structural MRI required for PET co-registration, and/or the PET scan itself. 5. Contraindications to MRI (e.g., metal in the body that cannot be removed and is not MRI compatible). An MRI screening form will be completed during screening to identify contraindications. 6. Screening lab values that indicate significant organ dysfunction that in the opinion of an investigator could compromise participant safety or successful participation in the study. 7. History of epilepsy or seizure disorder (that are not a result of substance use or substance withdrawal in OUD+ groups) as assessed by medical record review or self-report. 8. History of head trauma that in the opinion of an investigator may interfere with the uptake of applicable radiotracer as assessed by medical record review or self-report. 9. Current serious psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, psychotic disorder, eating disorder, or major depressive disorder with suicidal ideation or psychotic features) identified by medical record review, clinical examination or structured psychiatric interview that could interfere with study participation or make it hazardous for the participant or staff to perform study procedures. 10. Self-reported heavy daily use of psychoactive substances in the past 30 days (prior to the screening visit), such as stimulants, cocaine, but not including nicotine, caffeine, cannabis (or opioids in the OUD groups) that could interfere with study performance. 11. Not able to provide a breath alcohol level of 0.000 (tested with handheld breath analyzer) at the screening, MRI and/or PET scan visits. 12. Inability to tolerate imaging procedures as determined by an investigator or treating physician 13. Any current medical condition, illness, or disorder assessed by medical record review and/or self-report that is considered by a physician or investigator to potentially compromise participant safety or their successful participation in the study
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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
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University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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