Examine the interaction between stimulants, such as cocaine and methylphenidate, and impulsivity.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
29
Connecticut Mental Health Center
New Haven, Connecticut, United States
Mean cocaine inter-infusion interval
Subjects complete three separate 60 minute long "binge" cocaine self administration sessions (low dose 8mg/70kg, medium dose 16mg/70kg, and large dose 32mg/70kg). Mean inter-infusion intervals (time between cocaine boluses) are then averaged by adding all intervals within each session and dividing by 60. Intervals during which pump access is withheld (due to increase in vital signs) will be excluded. Data on cocaine self-administration (total number of responses, infusions, and III), subjective effects, and vital signs will be checked for normality prior to analysis using Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistics and normal probability plots. The significance level for all statistical tests will be set at p\<.05.
Time frame: 3 hours
Stop Signal Reaction Time (Impulsivity)
The Dependent measures pertinent to the effects of an acute/chronic exposure to stimulants (methylphenidate/cocaine) on measures of impulsivity will be analyzed using a mixed design ANOVA. This design will have a within subjects variable to study the effects of an acute exposure to stimulants (methylphenidate vs. placebo) and a between subjects variable to study the effects of a chronic exposure to stimulants (cocaine dependent subjects vs. healthy controls).
Time frame: 5 years
Inter-Temporal Choice (Impulsivity)
The Dependent measures pertinent to the effects of an acute/chronic exposure to stimulants (methylphenidate/cocaine) on measures of impulsivity will be analyzed using a mixed design ANOVA. This design will have a within subjects variable to study the effects of an acute exposure to stimulants (methylphenidate vs. placebo) and a between subjects variable to study the effects of a chronic exposure to stimulants (cocaine dependent subjects vs. healthy controls).
Time frame: 5 years
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