The Effects of Pharmacotherapy on Brain Mechanisms Underlying Cocaine Dependence.

Overview

The overall aim of this project is to use an advanced brain imaging technique, PET, in order to monitor the progress of pharmacotherapy with modafinil or topiramate for cocaine dependence in methadone-maintained patients who use cocaine in addition. Comparisons will be made within the cocaine dependent methadone maintained subjects, between the start and end of treatment, and between the two medications. This is the first systematic research study of pharmacological treatment for cocaine dependence in Israel. This study is of major clinical use, with implications for the treatment of cocaine dependence in poly-drug abusers in Israel. Successful pharmacotherapy for cocaine dependence is expected in reduction in cue-induced subjective craving and in glucose metabolism in brain areas elicited by cocaine craving. Metabolic activity in regions that are activated by craving should be correlated with dopamine DRD2 receptor occupancy in all patients.

SPECIFIC AIMS 1. To try to elucidate the brain mechanisms underlying cocaine dependence and craving in co-morbid cocaine-dependent patients. For this purpose we shall trigger craving for cocaine by exposure to a videotape showing cocaine use and then measure brain metabolic activity using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and \[18F\] Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) 2. To evaluate dopamine binding in the brain in the early stage, and at the end of treatment. For this purpose the patients will undergo brain imaging of the dopamine receptor DRD2 by using PET with \[11C\] raclopride. This is a well established procedure for quantifying the effects of drugs such as amphetamine and cocaine on the brain. 3. To investigate the association between subjective measures of craving for cocaine and the level of dopamine DRD2 receptor occupancy in the brain.