The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of NKTR-181 on brain activity in healthy, non-physically dependent recreational opioid users. This study will last about 88 days for each participant.
This study is a single-center study in which approximately 24 subjects will be randomized to one of two treatment groups. Subjects will enter a screening period between Day -28 and Day -2. Upon meeting all criteria for enrollment, on Day -1 subjects will enter the clinical research study unit (CRSU) for an overnight confinement. On Day 1, subjects will undergo a baseline MRI and will then be randomized to NKTR-181 or oxycodone immediate release (IR). Once randomized, subjects will receive a single dose of study drug (NKTR-181 or oxycodone IR) and matched alternate-treatment placebo. Subjects will undergo a series of three fMRIs (functional magnetic resonance imaging) post dose (at hours 1, 2, and 4). At post-dose hours 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8, pupillometry will be performed and PK blood samples will be drawn. Following a 14- to 17-day safety follow-up period, subjects will return to the research facility clinic for the End of Study (EOS) visit (Day 16-19).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
8
A combination of NKTR-181 and oxycodone IR placebo
A combination of oxycodone IR and NKTR-181 placebo
Investigator Site - Richmond
Richmond, Virginia, United States
Brain Activity Measured Via fMRI
The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of NKTR-181 on brain activity. Functional MRI assessments in subjects administered opioids such as morphine, buprenorphine, and nalbuphine have shown drug-induced signaling changes in reward structures such as the nucleus accumbens, orbitofrontal cortex, and hippocampus, as well as changes in the functional connectivity of reward circuitry (Becerra, 2006; Gear, 2013; Upadhyay, 2012).
Time frame: 8 hour period following dose of NKTR-181
Change in Pupil Diameter Via Pupillometry
Analysis of change in pupil diameter after administration of NKTR-181 or Oxycodone IR.
Time frame: 24 hour period following dose administration Day 1 to 2
Plasma Drug Concentration
Plasma drug concentration for NKTR-181 and Oxycodone IR over 24 hours.
Time frame: 24 hour period following dose administration Day 1 to 2
Time to Maximum Concentration (Tmax)
The amount of time needed for maximum drug concentration to be reached.
Time frame: 24 hour period following dose administration Day 1 to 2
Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs)
Number of patients who experienced any type of adverse event as a result of one of the treatments.
Time frame: 19 days
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