NCT01030692

Rivastigmine and Huperzine A as Treatments for Cocaine Dependence

• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 1
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 72 (actual)
• Sponsor: Baylor College of Medicine · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 55 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine the safety and effects of rivastigmine and huperzine A (HupA), potential treatments for cocaine abuse, when used before experimental administration of cocaine, on a number of physical and psychological measures.

Detailed description

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the interactions between cocaine and oral rivastigmine and between cocaine and oral huperzine A (HupA). The following Specific Aims are proposed: 1. Among cocaine-dependent, non-treatment seeking participants, to establish the ability of rivastigmine (3 or 6 mg, daily) or HupA (0.4 or 0.8 mg, daily), as compared to placebo, to reduce cocaine-induced craving (0, 20, and 40 mg, IV) and to reduce reinforcing effects produced by cocaine (20 mg, IV/infusion). Hypothesis. Relative to placebo-treated participants, treatment with rivastigmine or HupA will reduce cocaine-induced craving and choices for cocaine. 2\. To determine the safety of rivastigmine and HupA in cocaine-dependent participants who receive cocaine in a laboratory setting. Hypothesis 2A. Relative to placebo-treated participants, treatment with rivastigmine or HupA will not increase the adverse events produced by cocaine. Hypothesis 2B. Relative to placebo-treated participants, treatment with rivastigmine or HupA will reduce cocaine-induced increases in heart rate and blood pressure. 3\. To determine the effects of AChE inhibition on plasma levels of cocaine and cocaine metabolites. Hypothesis 3A. Relative to placebo-treated participants, treatment with rivastigmine, but not HupA, will be associated with increased plasma levels of cocaine. Hypothesis 3B. Relative to placebo-treated participants, treatment with rivastigmine, but not HupA, will be associated with increased formation of ecgonine and benzoylecgonine, and decreased formation of ecgonine methylester. 4\. a) provide a more frequent measure of heart rate (15 sec vs. 5 minutes) and b) measure a new dependent variable, physical activity, on days with and without cocaine exposure. Public Health Significance: Cocaine abuse is an important health problem that is associated with serious medical, psychiatric, social, and economic consequences. No medications are currently available for prevention of relapse in patients who are addicted to cocaine, and compounds such as rivastigmine and HupA are predicted to be useful for this indication. The testing of HupA is particularly exciting since it has antioxidant and neuroprotective properties that may also contribute to its efficacy as a treatment medication for cocaine dependence.

Conditions

• Cocaine Dependence
• Cocaine Addiction
• Cocaine Abuse
• Substance Abuse

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DRUG	Placebo	The placebo groups will receive the same dosage throughout the study.
DRUG	Rivastigmine 3 mg	The 3 mg rivastigmine group will receive 3 mg rivastigmine only in the evening of Day 1, 3 mg in the morning and 0 mg in the evening of Days 2-9, and 3 mg in the morning of Day 10.
DRUG	Huperzine A 0.4 mg	The 0.4 mg HupA group will receive 0.2 mg HupA only in the evening of Day 1, 0.2 mg in the morning and evening of Days 2-9, and 0.2 mg in the morning of day 10.
DRUG	Rivastigmine 6 mg	The 6 mg rivastigmine group will receive 3 mg rivastigmine only in the evening of Day 1, 3 mg in the morning and 0 mg in the evening of Days 2-5, 3 mg in the morning and evening of Days 6-9, and 3 mg in the morning of Day 10.
DRUG	Huperzine A 0.8 mg	The 0.8 mg HupA group will receive 0.2 mg HupA only in the evening of Day 1, 0.2 mg in the morning and evening of Days 2-5, 0.4 mg in the morning and evening of Days 6-9, and 0.4 mg in the morning of Day 10.

Timeline

• Start date: 2009-01-01
• Primary completion: 2014-06-01
• Completion: 2014-06-01
• First posted: 2009-12-11
• Last updated: 2015-01-27

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States